Iceland deports 21 activists who sought to disrupt whaling in Icelandic waters

The action aboard the "Bandero" was directed, according to activist circles, at whalers operating in the hunting grounds off the Icelandic coast. Police seized the vessel and brought the crew ashore, where deportation proceedings were initiated. Those affected must leave Iceland without delay.

The operation is attracting international attention because Iceland remains one of the few countries in the world that continues commercial whaling. The Icelandic authorities cite existing permits and regard the disruption actions as unlawful interference in fisheries.

Background of the disruption action

According to the organizers, among those deported are members of organizations dedicated to the protection of marine mammals. Many of those deployed are experienced seafarers who have participated in similar campaigns in recent years – including in the Southern Ocean or off the coasts of Norway and Japan, where commercial whaling also takes place.

Iceland's government recently made clear that it defends whaling as a traditional use of marine resources and will counter any disruption of these activities with all available legal means. The country has noticeably raised the catch quota for the current season, which has drawn international protest.

Iceland's position on whaling

Environmental groups accuse Iceland of effectively circumventing the international whaling moratorium of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Iceland uses a procedure by which it has formally withdrawn from the binding nature of the moratorium while simultaneously maintaining its membership in the IWC.

The incidents raise legal questions: the waters in which the disruption actions took place were the subject of initial investigations. Should it be confirmed that the "Bandero" was active in Icelandic territorial waters, this would constitute a clear violation of national fishing regulations. Police announced that they would investigate the matter thoroughly.

Those deported can theoretically re-enter the Schengen Area once the ban period has expired. Further arrests and seizures are expected in the coming weeks should similar actions be repeated.