Whaling, the hunting of whales for their products, has a long and complex history, evolving from traditional subsistence practices to large-scale industrial operations. This activity significantly impacted global whale populations throughout the 20th century, pushing many species to the brink of extinction. While commercial whaling is now widely restricted, it remains a contentious practice in certain parts of the world. Understanding modern whaling activities involves examining which nations continue the practice and the frameworks that govern it.
Leading Nations in Whaling
Currently, the nations engaging in significant whaling activities are Norway, Japan, and Iceland, alongside several countries that conduct aboriginal subsistence whaling. Norway consistently leads in the number of whales killed commercially, primarily targeting minke whales in the North Atlantic. Norwegian whalers killed 507 minke whales in 2023 and 414 in 2024, with a self-allocated quota of 1,406 for 2025.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission (IWC), focusing its hunts within its territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. In 2023, Japan’s commercial hunt included 187 Bryde’s whales, 83 minke whales, 24 sei whales, and 30 fin whales. Iceland, another commercial whaling nation, issued licenses to hunt 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales annually from 2025 to 2029, though only 24 fin whales were killed in a shortened 2023 season.
Aboriginal subsistence whaling is conducted by indigenous communities in countries such as the United States, Russia, Greenland, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. These hunts are distinct from commercial whaling, meeting nutritional and cultural needs under IWC oversight.
International Regulatory Framework
The International Whaling Commission (IWC), established in 1946, is the primary international body regulating whaling to ensure the conservation of whale stocks. In 1986, the IWC adopted a global moratorium on commercial whaling due to severe overexploitation of whale populations. This ban was a significant achievement in international conservation.
Despite the moratorium, some countries continue commercial whaling by utilizing specific provisions or by operating outside the IWC’s direct authority. Norway lodged an official objection to the 1986 moratorium, allowing it to continue commercial whaling without being bound by the ban. Iceland rejoined the IWC in 2003 with a reservation, interpreting it as allowing continued commercial whaling.
Japan withdrew from the IWC in July 2019 to resume commercial whaling, asserting the IWC’s original goal of sustainable whaling had been lost. Before its withdrawal, Japan conducted whaling under a controversial “scientific research” provision, Article VIII of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW), which permits the taking of whales for scientific purposes.
Rationales for Modern Whaling
Nations continuing whaling offer various justifications. Scientific research whaling, often conducted under Article VIII of the ICRW, gathers biological data to assess whale stocks and ecosystem roles. Proponents argue lethal sampling is necessary for research objectives like analyzing internal organs or estimating population parameters. However, the IWC Scientific Committee expresses skepticism regarding the necessity of lethal methods when non-lethal alternatives exist.
Cultural and traditional practices form the basis for aboriginal subsistence whaling, permitted by the IWC for indigenous communities. These hunts are deeply embedded in the cultural heritage and nutritional requirements of native peoples. The IWC recognizes their distinct nature, allowing them to continue on a subsistence basis.
Economic motivations also play a role in commercial whaling operations. Norway, Japan, and Iceland claim their whaling is for sustainable commercial harvest, despite dwindling domestic demand for whale meat in some regions. Whale meat is sold for local consumption, exported, or offered to tourists. These activities are often supported by government subsidies.
Conservation Status and Concerns
Historical whaling severely depleted global whale populations, with millions killed during the 20th century. Although the 1986 moratorium helped some species recover, many populations still face significant challenges. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List indicates one in four cetacean species (26% of 92 species) was threatened with extinction as of 2021, categorized as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable.
Specific species remain vulnerable; for example, the North Atlantic Right Whale is critically endangered with fewer than 500 individuals, and the Western Pacific gray whale population numbers around 300. Blue whales, Earth’s largest animals, are still recovering from past commercial whaling and are listed as endangered. Conservation organizations voice concerns about the sustainability and ethics of modern whaling, highlighting inhumane killing methods that can lead to prolonged suffering.
Beyond direct whaling, whales face other threats, including entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, marine pollution, and habitat disruption due to climate change. Efforts to protect whales include legal protections, habitat preservation, and promoting non-lethal research. The ongoing debate emphasizes international cooperation to ensure the long-term survival of these marine mammals.