A short film documenting the processing of fin whales from Operation Northern Exposure with @seashepherduk.
Hvalur hf, run by Kristjan Loftsson, is responsible for over 148 unnecessary deaths of vulnerable fin whales this season (excluding multiple unborn foetuses documented).
During the campaign a small crew from Sea Shepherd UK & Iceland were on patrol 24/7, scouting for whaling activity and tracking the ships (Hvalur 8 & 9) as they return with dead whales. Hvalur hf disregards numerous maritime laws, for example turning off AIS and VHF tracking, which is a legal requirement for the safe passage of ships.
Every whale is killed with explosive-tipped 70kg steel harpoons. The campaign exposed multiple, obvious animal welfare violations such as multiple harpoon wounds from misfired or undetonated harpoons causing stress, pain and exhaustion.
Whales are processed in broad daylight, majestic beings reduced to an empty husk.
The majority of the meat is exported to Japan for delicacies or the pet food trade.
Despite the fact that Hvalur's whaling business operates at a massive loss (13.6€ million in 2014) the company benefits greatly from shares in the fishing giant HB Grandi.
Great whales are essential players for tacking global warming. Scientists claim each great whale sequesters 33 tons of CO2 on average. Whaling is quite literally robbing the rest of the world of a global climate change solution. The world expects more from a country that is committed to fighting climate change and puts the planet, people and wildlife before profit.
"And who likes being told what to do? Like this climate [change] talk: your prime minister, he doesn't care less. I like that. He's my man." - Kristján interviewed by the Sydney Herald.
This is no tradition, or even profitable business, it’s a mere child-like obsession doing it, because he can.
A corrupt, heartless and unsustainable practice that has to end.
Hopefully, prime minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir can do better than those before.
Write E-mails/letters to the details found on the site below. Demand whale watching instead of butchering.
[ Ссылка ]
Stock footage: Adobe Stock
Music: "In Memories" - Franz Gordon
