This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 3 2025.
A coalition of Icelandic tourism stakeholders has proposed designating the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord in the Westfjords as a whale sanctuary. The move, led by the Icelandic Whale Watching Association (Icewhale) and the Icelandic Travel Industry Association, responds to plans for minke whale hunting in the area, which they say conflict with the growing whale watching industry. The proposal was submitted to the Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and builds on a 2017 regulation that created similar sanctuaries in Faxaflói, Skjálfandi, and Steingrímsfjörður. Supporters argue that the same protection should be extended to Ísafjarðardjúp, pointing to both environmental and economic factors.
Sigursteinn Másson of Icewhale highlighted the importance of whale watching to the region’s tourism economy. He warned that allowing hunting in the same waters could undermine the industry’s growth. He also questioned the practicality of hunting minke whales locally, noting that sightings in the fjord are infrequent. The municipal council of Ísafjarðarbær has backed the idea, proposing a seasonal sanctuary from May to September. Stakeholders are calling for dialogue and decisions that prioritise the long-term interests of the local community.