Iceland set to ban whaling, isolating Norway and Japan globally

Iceland is preparing to join the international consensus against commercial whaling by submitting a parliamentary bill in February to prohibit the practice, according to government announcements made in Copenhagen on September 10.

The proposed ban would represent a significant shift in policy for the North Atlantic nation, which has maintained a whaling industry despite growing global opposition. If enacted, Iceland would exit the ranks of whaling nations, leaving just two countries—Norway and Japan—continuing commercial whaling operations.

The move reflects broader international pressure to end the practice, as most nations have moved away from commercial whaling in recent decades. Iceland's decision aligns it with the majority position within the International Whaling Commission, signalling a broader shift toward marine conservation in the region.

The February legislative proposal will require parliamentary approval before becoming law. The timing suggests Iceland's government has determined that abandoning whaling aligns with its international commitments and domestic priorities.