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Visit Iceland: Save Whales

A harpooned whale can take hours to die Enlarge Image

Stop whaling

The harpoons are ready, and the whaling season has begun. The Norwegian government plans to take 670 minke whales in the only openly-declared commercial whale hunt in the world, while the Japanese government aim to kill 210 minke, Bryde's, sei and sperm whales in the north-western Pacific in a so called "Scientific" whaling programme. Iceland, the world's third whaling nation, has not yet made a decision on this year's take or if their "scientific" research programme will continue.

Rémi Parmentier Enlarge Image

Iceland, Greenpeace, and whales

The recent Rainbow Warrior tour of Iceland was not the first time Greenpeace has tangled, or indeed occasionally tangoed, with Iceland on environmental issues. Rémi Parmentier was onboard the maiden voyage of the original Rainbow Warrior on our first visit to Iceland 25 years ago. In the first of a three part feature Rémi recounts what it was like to be on that first voyage and how it lead to the ban on commercial whaling.

Crew of 1978 Greenpeace voyage to Iceland. Enlarge Image

Iceland, Greenpeace, and whales Part II

Iceland enjoys a rugged, natural beauty that can only be appreciated fully by seeing it. It also hosts a people who are fiercely proud of their largely pristine and clean environment. So why, after 14 years, has the Icelandic government bowed to internal pressure and begun whaling again? Has nothing changed since long-haired Greenpeace hippies took to the high seas in the late 70s? Rémi Parmentier takes us on Part II of a three-part journey back in time.

Crewmember Pete Bouquet paints the Rainbow Warrior, 1978 Enlarge Image

Iceland, Greenpeace, and whales Part III

Iceland has begun whaling again after 14 years. Surely such a retrograde decision must mean Iceland is a rogue state when it comes to the environment, a home of barbaric rapers of the Earth? Not so, says Rémi Parmentier in the concluding chapter of a three-part journey back in time. From his voyage with Greenpeace in 1978 through his experience in the 90s of working with Iceland in international fora, Parmentier brings his unique perspective to bear on Iceland, the environment, and whales.

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