This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6074230.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Iceland 'breaks ban on whaling' Iceland violates ban on whaling
(1 day later)
Iceland has reportedly broken a 21-year-old international ban on commercial whaling by killing a fin whale - an endangered species. Iceland has broken a 21-year-old international moratorium on commercial whaling by killing a fin whale - an endangered species.
"One fin whale was caught today and will be landed tomorrow," a whalers' spokesman told Reuters news agency. The whale was caught by the Hvalur 9 whaling vessel about 200 miles (320 km) west of Iceland.
The move follows the country's announcement that it planned to resume commercial hunting of whales. TV footage showed the creature, which measured 20m (65ft) in length, being brought ashore at a landing station.
The move follows the country's announcement last week that it planned to resume commercial hunting of whales.
Norway is the only other nation that allows commercial whaling. Japan says it hunts for scientific research.Norway is the only other nation that allows commercial whaling. Japan says it hunts for scientific research.
The International Whaling Commission banned commercial whaling under a moratorium imposed in 1985.The International Whaling Commission banned commercial whaling under a moratorium imposed in 1985.
Iceland is a member of the IWC, having rejoined in 2002 after a 10-year absence.Iceland is a member of the IWC, having rejoined in 2002 after a 10-year absence.
Tourism blowTourism blow
But in a statement on Tuesday, Iceland's fisheries ministry announced its new plans. But in a statement on 17 October, Iceland's fisheries ministry announced its new plans.
Whaling vessels would take nine fin whales and 30 minke whales each year, the ministry said, adding that catches would remain within sustainable limits.
Guide to whale species Guide to whale species
Fin whales are listed as an endangered species by the World Conservation Union, but Iceland maintains numbers are high enough to permit hunting. Whaling vessels would take nine fin whales and 30 minke whales each year, the ministry said, adding that catches would remain within sustainable limits.
Rune Froevik, spokesman from a Norway-based group representing the interests of Arctic fishing communities, said the whale that had been caught by an Icelandic vessel was about 65-70 ft (20m) long. Fin whales are listed as an endangered species by the World Conservation Union, but Iceland maintains numbers are high enough in its coastal waters to permit hunting.
The announcement has angered conservation groups and anti-whaling nations, with some talking of a legal challenge.The announcement has angered conservation groups and anti-whaling nations, with some talking of a legal challenge.
It has also had an effect on the country's tourism industry, with cancellations reported by whale-watching companies.It has also had an effect on the country's tourism industry, with cancellations reported by whale-watching companies.
"We have received several e-mails from people saying they have decided not to visit Iceland as long as Iceland is conducting whaling," Thorunn Harvardottir, who runs a whale-watching company, told French news agency AFP. "We have received several e-mails from people saying they have decided not to visit Iceland as long as Iceland is conducting whaling," Thorunn Harvardottir, who runs a whale-watching company, told AFP news agency.
The European Commission has urged Iceland to reconsider its decision.The European Commission has urged Iceland to reconsider its decision.