remind me to add iceland to my list of places not to visit

[Guest guest]

along with norway

 

Iceland to Resume Commercial Whaling

 

October 18, 2006 — By Krista Mahr, Associated Press

REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Iceland said Tuesday it would resume commercial whaling

after a nearly two-decade moratorium, defying a worldwide ban on hunting the

mammals for their meat.

 

Fisheries Minister Einar Kristinn Gudfinnsson told Iceland's parliament that his

ministry would begin issuing licenses to hunt fin and minke whales. He said the

ministry would permit the hunting of nine fin whales and 30 minke whales in the

year ending Aug. 31, 2007.

 

The government said licenses could be issued as soon as Wednesday, and that

ships could resume commercial whaling as early as this week.

 

At this year's meeting of the International Whaling Commission in June, Iceland

and a group of pro-whaling nations including Japan and Norway narrowly passed a

symbolic resolution to support ending a nearly 20-year-old ban on commercial

hunts.

 

Officially ending the moratorium would require a 75 percent majority among

members of the commission.

 

On Tuesday, the whaling ship Hvalur 9 _ Whale 9 _ took to the seas for a test

run after being laid up for years in Reykjavik harbor.

 

Icelanders have been hunting whales since the days of the Vikings, but stopped

all whaling in 1989 under an international moratorium. The country continued to

observe the ban after quitting the whaling commission in 1992. But when Iceland

rejoined in 2002, the government said it would not be bound by the moratorium

after 2006.

 

In 2003, Iceland resumed the killing of whales in the name of scientific

testing, a move condemned by environmental groups and some nations, including

the United States and Britain.

 

Since 2003, 161 minke whales have been hunted for research purposes in Iceland,

according to the country's Marine Institute.

 

Minke whale meat is still readily available at some of the island's restaurants,

from whales caught in fishermen's nets, and many Icelanders staunchly defend the

country's right to resume hunts.

 

Iceland's Ministry of Fisheries said there are more than 43,000 minke whales and

25,000 fin whales in Icelandic coastal waters.

 

It said limited commercial hunting was " consistent with the principle of

sustainable development. "

 

Critics say the " scientific " whaling practiced by Japan and Iceland is a sham.

Norway ignores the moratorium altogether and openly conducts commercial whaling.

 

Asta Einarsdottir, a lawyer for the Ministry of Fisheries, said the resumption

of whaling " is part of our main principle of sustainable use of all living

marine resources. "

 

" Fisheries have been our bread and butter, " she said. " From fisheries, we have

gained what the Icelandic nation has today. We must protect and work for this

principle, not against it. "

 

The government said the newly-hunted meat would be sold on the domestic market,

although some could be exported should demand arise.

 

Environment group Greenpeace immediately condemned the decision, noting that fin

whales are on the International Conservation Union's " red list " of endangered

species.

 

" Iceland has no market for whale meat, but they do have a huge and far more

valuable market for whale watching, " said Greenpeace oceans campaigner Frode

Pleym.

 

" Instead of investing in a one-man campaign to rejuvenate an outdated,

unnecessary industry, that can only damage the reputation of the country

internationally, Iceland should be capitalizing on the value of a growing

industry of watching and studying whales. "

 

Einar Steinthorsson, director of the Hvalsodin Whale Watching Center said an

estimated 90,000 visitors had joined tours to see whales in 2006.

 

He said minke whales had become less inclined to swim close to tourism boats

since scientific whaling resumed in 2003.

 

" We feel that since they decided to hunt the whales, the whales have been a

little more distant. I'm sorry to say, but that's the truth, " Steinthorsson

said.

 

Source: Associated Press

 

 

As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances,

there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in

such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest

we become unwitting victims of the darkness.

William O. Douglas

[Guest guest]

Hi Fraggle

 

You're coming to England and English fishermen don't care about

killing off the entire population of fish!

 

Jo

 

, fraggle <EBbrewpunx wrote:

>

> along with norway

>

> Iceland to Resume Commercial Whaling

>

> October 18, 2006 †" By Krista Mahr, Associated Press

> REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Iceland said Tuesday it would resume

commercial whaling after a nearly two-decade moratorium, defying a

worldwide ban on hunting the mammals for their meat.

>

> Fisheries Minister Einar Kristinn Gudfinnsson told Iceland's

parliament that his ministry would begin issuing licenses to hunt fin

and minke whales. He said the ministry would permit the hunting of

nine fin whales and 30 minke whales in the year ending Aug. 31, 2007.

>

> The government said licenses could be issued as soon as Wednesday,

and that ships could resume commercial whaling as early as this week.

>

> At this year's meeting of the International Whaling Commission in

June, Iceland and a group of pro-whaling nations including Japan and

Norway narrowly passed a symbolic resolution to support ending a

nearly 20-year-old ban on commercial hunts.

>

> Officially ending the moratorium would require a 75 percent

majority among members of the commission.

>

> On Tuesday, the whaling ship Hvalur 9 _ Whale 9 _ took to the seas

for a test run after being laid up for years in Reykjavik harbor.

>

> Icelanders have been hunting whales since the days of the Vikings,

but stopped all whaling in 1989 under an international moratorium.

The country continued to observe the ban after quitting the whaling

commission in 1992. But when Iceland rejoined in 2002, the government

said it would not be bound by the moratorium after 2006.

>

> In 2003, Iceland resumed the killing of whales in the name of

scientific testing, a move condemned by environmental groups and some

nations, including the United States and Britain.

>

> Since 2003, 161 minke whales have been hunted for research purposes

in Iceland, according to the country's Marine Institute.

>

> Minke whale meat is still readily available at some of the island's

restaurants, from whales caught in fishermen's nets, and many

Icelanders staunchly defend the country's right to resume hunts.

>

> Iceland's Ministry of Fisheries said there are more than 43,000

minke whales and 25,000 fin whales in Icelandic coastal waters.

>

> It said limited commercial hunting was " consistent with the

principle of sustainable development. "

>

> Critics say the " scientific " whaling practiced by Japan and Iceland

is a sham. Norway ignores the moratorium altogether and openly

conducts commercial whaling.

>

> Asta Einarsdottir, a lawyer for the Ministry of Fisheries, said the

resumption of whaling " is part of our main principle of sustainable

use of all living marine resources. "

>

> " Fisheries have been our bread and butter, " she said. " From

fisheries, we have gained what the Icelandic nation has today. We

must protect and work for this principle, not against it. "

>

> The government said the newly-hunted meat would be sold on the

domestic market, although some could be exported should demand arise.

>

> Environment group Greenpeace immediately condemned the decision,

noting that fin whales are on the International Conservation

Union's " red list " of endangered species.

>

> " Iceland has no market for whale meat, but they do have a huge and

far more valuable market for whale watching, " said Greenpeace oceans

campaigner Frode Pleym.

>

> " Instead of investing in a one-man campaign to rejuvenate an

outdated, unnecessary industry, that can only damage the reputation

of the country internationally, Iceland should be capitalizing on the

value of a growing industry of watching and studying whales. "

>

> Einar Steinthorsson, director of the Hvalsodin Whale Watching

Center said an estimated 90,000 visitors had joined tours to see

whales in 2006.

>

> He said minke whales had become less inclined to swim close to

tourism boats since scientific whaling resumed in 2003.

>

> " We feel that since they decided to hunt the whales, the whales

have been a little more distant. I'm sorry to say, but that's the

truth, " Steinthorsson said.

>

> Source: Associated Press

>

>

> As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In

both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly

unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change

in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the

darkness.

> William O. Douglas

>

[Guest guest]

BRITISH Fishermen are no different to any nationality of fishermen, looking to making a profit, and not looking to the future, and seldom thinking of the enviroment and their effects. The Valley Vegan..............heartwerk <jo.heartwork wrote: Hi FraggleYou're coming to England and English fishermen don't care about killing off the entire population of fish!Jo , fraggle wrote:>> along with norway> > Iceland to Resume Commercial Whaling> > October 18, 2006 â€" By Krista Mahr, Associated Press > REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Iceland said Tuesday it would resume commercial whaling after a nearly two-decade moratorium, defying a worldwide ban on hunting the mammals for

their meat. > > Fisheries Minister Einar Kristinn Gudfinnsson told Iceland's parliament that his ministry would begin issuing licenses to hunt fin and minke whales. He said the ministry would permit the hunting of nine fin whales and 30 minke whales in the year ending Aug. 31, 2007. > > The government said licenses could be issued as soon as Wednesday, and that ships could resume commercial whaling as early as this week. > > At this year's meeting of the International Whaling Commission in June, Iceland and a group of pro-whaling nations including Japan and Norway narrowly passed a symbolic resolution to support ending a nearly 20-year-old ban on commercial hunts. > > Officially ending the moratorium would require a 75 percent majority among members of the commission. > > On Tuesday, the whaling ship Hvalur 9 _ Whale 9 _ took to the seas for a test run after being laid

up for years in Reykjavik harbor. > > Icelanders have been hunting whales since the days of the Vikings, but stopped all whaling in 1989 under an international moratorium. The country continued to observe the ban after quitting the whaling commission in 1992. But when Iceland rejoined in 2002, the government said it would not be bound by the moratorium after 2006. > > In 2003, Iceland resumed the killing of whales in the name of scientific testing, a move condemned by environmental groups and some nations, including the United States and Britain. > > Since 2003, 161 minke whales have been hunted for research purposes in Iceland, according to the country's Marine Institute. > > Minke whale meat is still readily available at some of the island's restaurants, from whales caught in fishermen's nets, and many Icelanders staunchly defend the country's right to resume hunts. >

> Iceland's Ministry of Fisheries said there are more than 43,000 minke whales and 25,000 fin whales in Icelandic coastal waters. > > It said limited commercial hunting was "consistent with the principle of sustainable development." > > Critics say the "scientific" whaling practiced by Japan and Iceland is a sham. Norway ignores the moratorium altogether and openly conducts commercial whaling. > > Asta Einarsdottir, a lawyer for the Ministry of Fisheries, said the resumption of whaling "is part of our main principle of sustainable use of all living marine resources." > > "Fisheries have been our bread and butter," she said. "From fisheries, we have gained what the Icelandic nation has today. We must protect and work for this principle, not against it." > > The government said the newly-hunted meat would be sold on the domestic market, although some could be

exported should demand arise. > > Environment group Greenpeace immediately condemned the decision, noting that fin whales are on the International Conservation Union's "red list" of endangered species. > > "Iceland has no market for whale meat, but they do have a huge and far more valuable market for whale watching, " said Greenpeace oceans campaigner Frode Pleym. > > "Instead of investing in a one-man campaign to rejuvenate an outdated, unnecessary industry, that can only damage the reputation of the country internationally, Iceland should be capitalizing on the value of a growing industry of watching and studying whales." > > Einar Steinthorsson, director of the Hvalsodin Whale Watching Center said an estimated 90,000 visitors had joined tours to see whales in 2006. > > He said minke whales had become less inclined to swim close to tourism boats since scientific

whaling resumed in 2003. > > "We feel that since they decided to hunt the whales, the whales have been a little more distant. I'm sorry to say, but that's the truth," Steinthorsson said. > > Source: Associated Press> > > As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. > William O. Douglas>To send an email to -

[Guest guest]

sure...make it so i can't go anywhere

*sigh*

 

 

>heartwerk <jo.heartwork

>Oct 18, 2006 11:36 PM

>

> Re: remind me to add iceland to my list of places not to

visit

>

>Hi Fraggle

>

>You're coming to England and English fishermen don't care about

>killing off the entire population of fish!

>

>Jo

>

 

 

As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances,

there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in

such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest

we become unwitting victims of the darkness.

William O. Douglas

[Guest guest]

So why not go on holidayto other places?

 

Jo

 

-

peter VV

Thursday, October 19, 2006 6:09 PM

Re: Re: remind me to add iceland to my list of places not to visit

 

BRITISH Fishermen are no different to any nationality of fishermen, looking to making a profit, and not looking to the future, and seldom thinking of the enviroment and their effects.

 

The Valley Vegan..............heartwerk <jo.heartwork wrote:

Hi FraggleYou're coming to England and English fishermen don't care about killing off the entire population of fish!Jo , fraggle wrote:>> along with norway> > Iceland to Resume Commercial Whaling> > October 18, 2006 â€" By Krista Mahr, Associated Press > REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Iceland said Tuesday it would resume commercial whaling after a nearly two-decade moratorium, defying a worldwide ban on hunting the mammals for their meat. > > Fisheries Minister Einar Kristinn Gudfinnsson told Iceland's parliament that his ministry would begin issuing licenses to hunt fin and minke whales. He said the ministry would permit the hunting of nine fin whales and 30 minke whales in the year ending Aug. 31, 2007. > > The government said licenses could be issued as soon as Wednesday, and that ships could resume commercial whaling as early as this week. > > At this year's meeting of the International Whaling Commission in June, Iceland and a group of pro-whaling nations including Japan and Norway narrowly passed a symbolic resolution to support ending a nearly 20-year-old ban on commercial hunts. > > Officially ending the moratorium would require a 75 percent majority among members of the commission. > > On Tuesday, the whaling ship Hvalur 9 _ Whale 9 _ took to the seas for a test run after being laid up for years in Reykjavik harbor. > > Icelanders have been hunting whales since the days of the Vikings, but stopped all whaling in 1989 under an international moratorium. The country continued to observe the ban after quitting the whaling commission in 1992. But when Iceland rejoined in 2002, the government said it would not be bound by the moratorium after 2006. > > In 2003, Iceland resumed the killing of whales in the name of scientific testing, a move condemned by environmental groups and some nations, including the United States and Britain. > > Since 2003, 161 minke whales have been hunted for research purposes in Iceland, according to the country's Marine Institute. > > Minke whale meat is still readily available at some of the island's restaurants, from whales caught in fishermen's nets, and many Icelanders staunchly defend the country's right to resume hunts. > > Iceland's Ministry of Fisheries said there are more than 43,000 minke whales and 25,000 fin whales in Icelandic coastal waters. > > It said limited commercial hunting was "consistent with the principle of sustainable development." > > Critics say the "scientific" whaling practiced by Japan and Iceland is a sham. Norway ignores the moratorium altogether and openly conducts commercial whaling. > > Asta Einarsdottir, a lawyer for the Ministry of Fisheries, said the resumption of whaling "is part of our main principle of sustainable use of all living marine resources." > > "Fisheries have been our bread and butter," she said. "From fisheries, we have gained what the Icelandic nation has today. We must protect and work for this principle, not against it." > > The government said the newly-hunted meat would be sold on the domestic market, although some could be exported should demand arise. > > Environment group Greenpeace immediately condemned the decision, noting that fin whales are on the International Conservation Union's "red list" of endangered species. > > "Iceland has no market for whale meat, but they do have a huge and far more valuable market for whale watching, " said Greenpeace oceans campaigner Frode Pleym. > > "Instead of investing in a one-man campaign to rejuvenate an outdated, unnecessary industry, that can only damage the reputation of the country internationally, Iceland should be capitalizing on the value of a growing industry of watching and studying whales." > > Einar Steinthorsson, director of the Hvalsodin Whale Watching Center said an estimated 90,000 visitors had joined tours to see whales in 2006. > > He said minke whales had become less inclined to swim close to tourism boats since scientific whaling resumed in 2003. > > "We feel that since they decided to hunt the whales, the whales have been a little more distant. I'm sorry to say, but that's the truth," Steinthorsson said. > > Source: Associated Press> > > As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. > William O. Douglas>To send an email to -

[Guest guest]

Sorry, you lost me there?, I was just saying a fisherman is a short sighted, beast concerned with making a living at any cost. Lost the thread, The Valley Vegan...........jo <jo.heartwork wrote: So why not go on holidayto other places? Jo - peter VV Thursday, October 19, 2006 6:09 PM Re: Re: remind me to add iceland to my list of places not to visit BRITISH Fishermen are no different to any nationality of fishermen, looking to making a profit, and not looking to the future, and seldom thinking of the enviroment and their effects. The Valley Vegan..............heartwerk <jo.heartwork wrote: Hi FraggleYou're coming to England and English fishermen

don't care about killing off the entire population of fish!Jo , fraggle wrote:>> along with norway> > Iceland to Resume Commercial Whaling> > October 18, 2006 â€" By Krista Mahr, Associated Press > REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Iceland said Tuesday it would resume commercial whaling after a nearly two-decade moratorium, defying a worldwide ban on hunting the mammals for their meat. > > Fisheries Minister Einar Kristinn Gudfinnsson told Iceland's parliament that his ministry would begin issuing licenses to hunt fin and minke whales. He said the ministry would permit the hunting of nine fin whales and 30 minke whales in the year ending Aug. 31, 2007. > > The government said licenses could be issued as soon as Wednesday, and that ships could resume commercial whaling as early as this week. > > At this

year's meeting of the International Whaling Commission in June, Iceland and a group of pro-whaling nations including Japan and Norway narrowly passed a symbolic resolution to support ending a nearly 20-year-old ban on commercial hunts. > > Officially ending the moratorium would require a 75 percent majority among members of the commission. > > On Tuesday, the whaling ship Hvalur 9 _ Whale 9 _ took to the seas for a test run after being laid up for years in Reykjavik harbor. > > Icelanders have been hunting whales since the days of the Vikings, but stopped all whaling in 1989 under an international moratorium. The country continued to observe the ban after quitting the whaling commission in 1992. But when Iceland rejoined in 2002, the government said it would not be bound by the moratorium after 2006. > > In 2003, Iceland resumed the killing of whales in the name of scientific

testing, a move condemned by environmental groups and some nations, including the United States and Britain. > > Since 2003, 161 minke whales have been hunted for research purposes in Iceland, according to the country's Marine Institute. > > Minke whale meat is still readily available at some of the island's restaurants, from whales caught in fishermen's nets, and many Icelanders staunchly defend the country's right to resume hunts. > > Iceland's Ministry of Fisheries said there are more than 43,000 minke whales and 25,000 fin whales in Icelandic coastal waters. > > It said limited commercial hunting was "consistent with the principle of sustainable development." > > Critics say the "scientific" whaling practiced by Japan and Iceland is a sham. Norway ignores the moratorium altogether and openly conducts commercial whaling. > > Asta Einarsdottir, a lawyer for

the Ministry of Fisheries, said the resumption of whaling "is part of our main principle of sustainable use of all living marine resources." > > "Fisheries have been our bread and butter," she said. "From fisheries, we have gained what the Icelandic nation has today. We must protect and work for this principle, not against it." > > The government said the newly-hunted meat would be sold on the domestic market, although some could be exported should demand arise. > > Environment group Greenpeace immediately condemned the decision, noting that fin whales are on the International Conservation Union's "red list" of endangered species. > > "Iceland has no market for whale meat, but they do have a huge and far more valuable market for whale watching, " said Greenpeace oceans campaigner Frode Pleym. > > "Instead of investing in a one-man campaign to rejuvenate an

outdated, unnecessary industry, that can only damage the reputation of the country internationally, Iceland should be capitalizing on the value of a growing industry of watching and studying whales." > > Einar Steinthorsson, director of the Hvalsodin Whale Watching Center said an estimated 90,000 visitors had joined tours to see whales in 2006. > > He said minke whales had become less inclined to swim close to tourism boats since scientific whaling resumed in 2003. > > "We feel that since they decided to hunt the whales, the whales have been a little more distant. I'm sorry to say, but that's the truth," Steinthorsson said. > > Source: Associated Press> > > As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change

in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. > William O. Douglas>To send an email to -

[Guest guest]

Fraggle said he couldn't go to Iceland (?) because of the whaling. I said he was coming here yet the over-fishing hadn't put him off visiting.

 

Jo

 

-

peter VV

Friday, October 20, 2006 8:11 PM

Re: Re: remind me to add iceland to my list of places not to visit

 

Sorry, you lost me there?, I was just saying a fisherman is a short sighted, beast concerned with making a living at any cost.

 

Lost the thread,

The Valley Vegan...........jo <jo.heartwork wrote:

 

So why not go on holidayto other places?

 

Jo

 

-

peter VV

Thursday, October 19, 2006 6:09 PM

Re: Re: remind me to add iceland to my list of places not to visit

 

BRITISH Fishermen are no different to any nationality of fishermen, looking to making a profit, and not looking to the future, and seldom thinking of the enviroment and their effects.

 

The Valley Vegan..............heartwerk <jo.heartwork wrote:

Hi FraggleYou're coming to England and English fishermen don't care about killing off the entire population of fish!Jo , fraggle wrote:>> along with norway> > Iceland to Resume Commercial Whaling> > October 18, 2006 â€" By Krista Mahr, Associated Press > REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Iceland said Tuesday it would resume commercial whaling after a nearly two-decade moratorium, defying a worldwide ban on hunting the mammals for their meat. > > Fisheries Minister Einar Kristinn Gudfinnsson told Iceland's parliament that his ministry would begin issuing licenses to hunt fin and minke whales. He said the ministry would permit the hunting of nine fin whales and 30 minke whales in the year ending Aug. 31, 2007. > > The government said licenses could be issued as soon as Wednesday, and that ships could resume commercial whaling as early as this week. > > At this year's meeting of the International Whaling Commission in June, Iceland and a group of pro-whaling nations including Japan and Norway narrowly passed a symbolic resolution to support ending a nearly 20-year-old ban on commercial hunts. > > Officially ending the moratorium would require a 75 percent majority among members of the commission. > > On Tuesday, the whaling ship Hvalur 9 _ Whale 9 _ took to the seas for a test run after being laid up for years in Reykjavik harbor. > > Icelanders have been hunting whales since the days of the Vikings, but stopped all whaling in 1989 under an international moratorium. The country continued to observe the ban after quitting the whaling commission in 1992. But when Iceland rejoined in 2002, the government said it would not be bound by the moratorium after 2006. > > In 2003, Iceland resumed the killing of whales in the name of scientific testing, a move condemned by environmental groups and some nations, including the United States and Britain. > > Since 2003, 161 minke whales have been hunted for research purposes in Iceland, according to the country's Marine Institute. > > Minke whale meat is still readily available at some of the island's restaurants, from whales caught in fishermen's nets, and many Icelanders staunchly defend the country's right to resume hunts. > > Iceland's Ministry of Fisheries said there are more than 43,000 minke whales and 25,000 fin whales in Icelandic coastal waters. > > It said limited commercial hunting was "consistent with the principle of sustainable development." > > Critics say the "scientific" whaling practiced by Japan and Iceland is a sham. Norway ignores the moratorium altogether and openly conducts commercial whaling. > > Asta Einarsdottir, a lawyer for the Ministry of Fisheries, said the resumption of whaling "is part of our main principle of sustainable use of all living marine resources." > > "Fisheries have been our bread and butter," she said. "From fisheries, we have gained what the Icelandic nation has today. We must protect and work for this principle, not against it." > > The government said the newly-hunted meat would be sold on the domestic market, although some could be exported should demand arise. > > Environment group Greenpeace immediately condemned the decision, noting that fin whales are on the International Conservation Union's "red list" of endangered species. > > "Iceland has no market for whale meat, but they do have a huge and far more valuable market for whale watching, " said Greenpeace oceans campaigner Frode Pleym. > > "Instead of investing in a one-man campaign to rejuvenate an outdated, unnecessary industry, that can only damage the reputation of the country internationally, Iceland should be capitalizing on the value of a growing industry of watching and studying whales." > > Einar Steinthorsson, director of the Hvalsodin Whale Watching Center said an estimated 90,000 visitors had joined tours to see whales in 2006. > > He said minke whales had become less inclined to swim close to tourism boats since scientific whaling resumed in 2003. > > "We feel that since they decided to hunt the whales, the whales have been a little more distant. I'm sorry to say, but that's the truth," Steinthorsson said. > > Source: Associated Press> > > As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. > William O. Douglas>To send an email to -

[Guest guest]

Sorry, attention span of a goldfish. The Valley Vegan..........jo <jo.heartwork wrote: Fraggle said he couldn't go to Iceland (?) because of the whaling. I said he was coming here yet the over-fishing hadn't put him off visiting. Jo - peter VV Friday, October 20, 2006 8:11 PM Re: Re: remind me to add iceland to my list of places not to visit Sorry, you lost me there?, I was just saying a fisherman is a short sighted, beast concerned with making a living at any cost. Lost the thread, The Valley Vegan...........jo <jo.heartwork wrote: So why not go on holidayto other places? Jo - peter VV Thursday, October 19, 2006 6:09 PM Re: Re: remind me to add iceland to my list of places not to visit BRITISH Fishermen are no different to any nationality of fishermen, looking to making a profit, and not looking to the future, and

seldom thinking of the enviroment and their effects. The Valley Vegan..............heartwerk <jo.heartwork wrote: Hi FraggleYou're coming to England and English fishermen don't care about killing off the entire population of fish!Jo , fraggle wrote:>> along with norway> > Iceland to Resume Commercial Whaling> > October 18, 2006 â€" By Krista Mahr, Associated Press > REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Iceland said Tuesday it would resume commercial whaling after a nearly two-decade moratorium, defying a worldwide ban on hunting the mammals for their meat. > > Fisheries Minister Einar Kristinn Gudfinnsson told Iceland's

parliament that his ministry would begin issuing licenses to hunt fin and minke whales. He said the ministry would permit the hunting of nine fin whales and 30 minke whales in the year ending Aug. 31, 2007. > > The government said licenses could be issued as soon as Wednesday, and that ships could resume commercial whaling as early as this week. > > At this year's meeting of the International Whaling Commission in June, Iceland and a group of pro-whaling nations including Japan and Norway narrowly passed a symbolic resolution to support ending a nearly 20-year-old ban on commercial hunts. > > Officially ending the moratorium would require a 75 percent majority among members of the commission. > > On Tuesday, the whaling ship Hvalur 9 _ Whale 9 _ took to the seas for a test run after being laid up for years in Reykjavik harbor. > > Icelanders have been hunting whales

since the days of the Vikings, but stopped all whaling in 1989 under an international moratorium. The country continued to observe the ban after quitting the whaling commission in 1992. But when Iceland rejoined in 2002, the government said it would not be bound by the moratorium after 2006. > > In 2003, Iceland resumed the killing of whales in the name of scientific testing, a move condemned by environmental groups and some nations, including the United States and Britain. > > Since 2003, 161 minke whales have been hunted for research purposes in Iceland, according to the country's Marine Institute. > > Minke whale meat is still readily available at some of the island's restaurants, from whales caught in fishermen's nets, and many Icelanders staunchly defend the country's right to resume hunts. > > Iceland's Ministry of Fisheries said there are more than 43,000 minke whales and

25,000 fin whales in Icelandic coastal waters. > > It said limited commercial hunting was "consistent with the principle of sustainable development." > > Critics say the "scientific" whaling practiced by Japan and Iceland is a sham. Norway ignores the moratorium altogether and openly conducts commercial whaling. > > Asta Einarsdottir, a lawyer for the Ministry of Fisheries, said the resumption of whaling "is part of our main principle of sustainable use of all living marine resources." > > "Fisheries have been our bread and butter," she said. "From fisheries, we have gained what the Icelandic nation has today. We must protect and work for this principle, not against it." > > The government said the newly-hunted meat would be sold on the domestic market, although some could be exported should demand arise. > > Environment group Greenpeace immediately condemned

the decision, noting that fin whales are on the International Conservation Union's "red list" of endangered species. > > "Iceland has no market for whale meat, but they do have a huge and far more valuable market for whale watching, " said Greenpeace oceans campaigner Frode Pleym. > > "Instead of investing in a one-man campaign to rejuvenate an outdated, unnecessary industry, that can only damage the reputation of the country internationally, Iceland should be capitalizing on the value of a growing industry of watching and studying whales." > > Einar Steinthorsson, director of the Hvalsodin Whale Watching Center said an estimated 90,000 visitors had joined tours to see whales in 2006. > > He said minke whales had become less inclined to swim close to tourism boats since scientific whaling resumed in 2003. > > "We feel that since they decided to hunt the whales, the

whales have been a little more distant. I'm sorry to say, but that's the truth," Steinthorsson said. > > Source: Associated Press> > > As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there's a twilight where everything remains seemingly unchanged, and it is in such twilight that we must be aware of change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. > William O. Douglas>To send an email to -