Iceland is preparing to consider legislation that could effectively ban commercial whaling, potentially leaving Norway and Japan as the only countries to continue the practice. The government plans to submit a bill in February aimed at modernizing the nation’s whaling laws, including the option of a permanent prohibition on hunting whales.

The proposal comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding Iceland’s whaling industry, which has faced persistent opposition from animal rights advocates and public figures. This year’s hunting season, which spans from June until late September, has already seen the capture of 80 fin whales, according to data from Humane World for Animals (HWA). The current quota permits up to 150 fin whales to be killed annually. The fin whale is classified as a vulnerable species, intensifying conservation concerns.

Iceland currently maintains a five-year license issued by its interim government to its sole remaining whaling company. According to the International Whaling Commission, only Iceland, Norway, and Japan have continued commercial whaling in recent years.

In a statement, HWA spokesperson Wendy Higgins highlighted the broad political and public backing for banning commercial whaling in Iceland. She pointed to ethical, veterinary, legal, and conservation grounds as strong justifications for the bill’s success.

As Iceland moves forward with this legislative review, the outcome could mark a significant shift in global whaling practices, narrowing the ranks of whaling nations while spotlighting persistent tensions between traditional industries and conservation efforts.