Report from Abbi, Husavik, Iceland (2000 Laureate)

Husavik, Iceland

January 24, 2005

Development report by Asbjorn Bjorgvinsson (Abbi), Manager of the Husavik Whale Museum
Whale watching has rapidly become one of the most popular aspects of tourism in Iceland and is at present conducted with little impact on the whales. Starting in the early 1990’s with a few hundred customers, more than 80,000 tourists have been going whale watching in 2004. This growth and its revenue generated to local communities and the Icelandic economy adds a new dimension to the growing eco-tourism in Iceland and will be important for Iceland’s economy in the years to come.

In an economical study by Mr. Geir Oddson, Manager of the Environmental Institute at the University of Iceland, the income generated by the whale watching industry in the year 2004 is estimated to be close to 27 Million US$. While seemingly a strong argument against the approval of Iceland's resumption of commercial whaling, whale watching is perceived as a contrast to the national conviction of the utilization of whales.

The pressure for the resumption of whaling within Iceland is high. Local surveys show that 70-80% of Icelanders support the whaling activities, in despite of the presence of the international moratorium. These results also indicate that the public’s approval seems to be based on matters of national pride and independence rather than on reasonable facts. For decades, Icelanders have claimed the control and utilization of their natural resources in their own means. Whale watching is not yet perceived as an alternative utilization to whaling. 61 Minke Whales have been killed on behalf of Iceland’s scientific whaling during the summer of 2003 and 2004. Many of those have been taken within whale watching areas.

Figures published by the whale watching companies and the Icelandic Tourist Board show that over the past eight years, whale watching has been the fastest growing sector of the Icelandic tourism industry with an exceptional potential for further growth and development. Over 40% of all tourists traveling to Iceland go whale watching, while 10% go horseback riding and 5% river rafting.

At the present growth rate, it is estimated that the number of whale watchers in 2007 could exceed the amount of 100,000. Considering the importance of whale watching for the Icelandic economy as well as its image being a “nature destination”, it is of great importance to increase the recognition by authorities and the general public. With further acceptance will it be possible to develop and pass legal instructions and regulations, and to promote a responsible and sustainable industry.

The above graph shows the steady increase of whale watching tourists in Iceland from 1995 to 2004, with trend estimations.

The battle goes on....

The Icelandic Whale Watching Association will continue to counter the arguments used by the Icelandic Marine Research Institute (MRI) in order to justify the current hunt of minke whales: The hunt must continue in order to gain more scientific data regarding the fish consumption of minke whales, particularly Cod. The Minke Whale population is growing and is therefore a significant member of the food web, with increasing consumption of economical important fish stocks.
The results of this “scientific whaling”, however, seem less relevant, than the detection of the economical value of the Minke Whale meat on the Icelandic market.

It is the Government’s policy to utilize all natural resources in a sustainable way. However, sustainable Minke Whaling will neither reduce the population size significantly nor increase the size of the cod stocks, as has long been confirmed by NAMMCO (the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission).

Our mission to oppose these justifications will be focused on further educating and informing the Icelandic public and particularly the members of Parliament. In order to improve our efforts, we here at the Húsavík Whale Museum are planning to expand our exhibition, focusing on whale biology, the marine ecosystem and ocean currents, and its threat’s. The new exhibition will be called: Ocean Odyssey.

Following is a list of topics included:

Ocean Odyssey:

1. Introduction: Marine Ecosystem, Ocean currents and Gulf Stream, Food web and Productivity, Global warming and possible influences
2. What is a whale? Difference to fish, Characteristics, Taxonomy
3. Evolution: Adaptations to live in water
4. Biogeography: Distribution, Migration and reasons
5. Whale sensory system: Vision, Smell, Hearing, Intelligence
6. Morphology and Anatomy
7. Breathing and diving
8. Echolocation
9. Feeding and diet.
10. Reproduction and social organisation.
11. Exploitation and Conservation.
12. Research and science.

For further information on our work please visit our website: www.icewhale.is

Sincerely,

Ásbjörn Björgvinsson ( Abbi )
Manager of the Husavik Whale Museum.
Chairman of the Icelandic Whale Watching Association.