The poll asked: "Are you in favour or against Icelanders
starting whale hunting again?" Results show that over a third of
Icelandic people, traditionally a whaling nation, no longer support
whaling.
Since April 2003, the percentage of Icelandic people in favour
of whaling has dropped from 74.6% to 67.3%. During the same period,
the number of people opposed to whaling has increased from 12.3% to
15.2% and the proportion of those who are undecided has increased
from 13.1% to 17.4%
"This shows that domestic opinion on whaling in Iceland is
changing and is on the decline. Whale meat consumption is rapidly
decreasing and the domestic tourism industry is coming out strongly
against whaling," said Frode Pleym of Greenpeace International.
The Icelandic Government recently announced that it will put its
so-called 'scientific' whaling programme on hold and limit this
year's take to 25 minke whales, down from the planned quota of 250
minke, sei and fin whales.(2) "The Government of Iceland should
react wisely to public opinion and cancel its 'scientific' whaling
programme altogether," added Pleym.
For many years, Greenpeace was considered an enemy of Iceland,
following earlier controversial actions to stop Icelandic whaling.
By contrast, this year the Greenpeace ship, MV Esperanza, which is
currently in Iceland (3) urging people to 'Choose the future, not
whaling', has been visited by the President of Althingi, the
Icelandic Parliament.
Last autumn, Greenpeace launched the 'Pledge' campaign to show
the potential economic and environmental gains to be had by
choosing sustainable tourism over whaling. Over 57,000 people
around the world have pledged to seriously consider a vacation in
Iceland, rather than elsewhere, if it stops whaling. (4)
Notes: (1) The sample size of the Gallup poll was 1274 and the proportion of those whoresponded was nearly 63%. Women, urban citizens and the younger generation tend to oppose whaling more frequently than others. For instance, less than 50% of the age group between 16 and 24 years "strongly agree" or "somewhat agree" with resuming whaling. The full poll results are available on request.(2)http://www.greenpeace.org/international_en/features/details?item_id=406738&campaign_id=(3) Onboard the Esperanza are Greenpeace activists from 17 countries.Read more about the Esperanza tour and updates from cyber-activists Marnee Benson and Tope Akintola who won berths on the ship through promoting the Greenpeace Pledge and are assisting Greenpeace during the Icelandic whaling tour.(4) Through the Greenpeace website and other communications to our supporters, we ask people around the world to participate in protecting vulnerable areas and species through appropriate opportunities, including visiting Iceland.Read more:http://www.icelandwhalespledge.comThe economic value of whale watching in Icelandhttp://www.greenpeace.org/iceland/economicGreenpeace and Icelandhttp://www.greenpeace.org/iceland/backgroundThe history of commercial whaling in Icelandhttp://www.greenpeace.org/iceland/history