Emotions running high over the temporary ban on whaling

Emotions ran high in the meeting of the Union of Akranes with the Minister of Food, Svandís Svavarsdóttir, yesterday when discussing the ban on fin whaling until August 31. Svavarsdóttir answered to the people at the meeting and stood firmly by her decision. 

Article on Iceland Monitor

Put a halt on whaling until August 31

Svavarsdóttir claimed her decision was not aimed against the workers of Hvalur hf. but based on the analysis of a group of specialists that painted a grave picture of the situation of fin whaling in Iceland. She said that her decision was not based on an "opinion" but on facts.

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Dorrit and Samson were walking up Esja Mountain

The minister could barely open her mouth at the meeting without getting heckled from the audience and at the beginning of the meeting, Vilhjálmur Birgisson, the manager of the Union had some choice words for Svavarsdottir, saying that her decision impacted a lot of people who would lose 1.2 billion ISK in wages, not to mention wage related taxes for the government. He claimed that it was certain that Hvalur hf. would sue the government for this ban and the outcome would be that the ban was not done in a manner required by the law of the land. 

Around 3-400 people attended the meeting and more meetings are scheduled today on this matter.