Iceland orders expulsion of anti-whaling activists after vessel intervention
Icelandic authorities have ordered the expulsion of 21 activists from a vessel operated by the Paul Watson Foundation after the group attempted to disrupt a whale hunting operation off the coast of Iceland.
The decision follows the interception of the ship Bandero last week during an action targeting one of the country's remaining commercial whaling vessels.
Activists barred from returning to Iceland
An Icelandic police spokesperson confirmed that all members of the Bandero's crew had received expulsion orders accompanied by a ban on returning to the country.
The authorities had intercepted the vessel overnight from Thursday to Friday after activists attempted to interfere with the operations of the Hvalur 9, one of the last active whaling ships in Iceland.
Details regarding the timeline for the departures and the implementation of the orders have not been fully disclosed.
Long-running dispute over whaling
The confrontation highlights the continuing international debate over Iceland's whaling industry, which has faced strong criticism from animal protection organizations and conservation groups.
The Paul Watson Foundation, named after the prominent marine activist, has carried out campaigns against commercial whaling in several countries, arguing that hunting practices threaten marine ecosystems and endangered species.
Iceland maintains regulated whaling activity
While many countries have ended commercial whaling, Iceland remains among the few nations where the practice continues under government regulation.
Supporters of the industry argue that regulated hunting is compatible with resource management, while opponents call for a complete ban on whale hunting.
The latest incident adds to ongoing tensions between Icelandic authorities and international activists seeking to prevent whaling operations.
-
22:30
-
22:00
-
21:30
-
21:00
-
20:30
-
20:00
-
19:30
-
19:00
-
18:30
-
18:00
-
17:30
-
17:00
-
16:30
-
16:03
-
16:00
-
15:30
-
15:16
-
15:08
-
15:00
-
14:30
-
14:00
-
13:30
-
13:00
-
12:45
-
12:30
-
12:15
-
12:05
-
12:00
-
11:45
-
11:36
-
11:30
-
11:28
-
11:24
-
11:15
-
11:00
-
10:45
-
10:30
-
10:28
-
10:15
-
10:00
-
10:00
-
09:59
-
09:45
-
09:30
-
09:15
-
09:00
-
08:45
-
08:35
-
08:22
-
08:00
-
08:00
