11. May 2026

From Ægisgarður to Hobart – The Long Road to the IWC

Appeal by Arne Feuerhahn

When the International Whaling Commission voted to implement a global moratorium on commercial whaling, I was just three months old. Needless to say, whales and whaling were not yet on my mind at that time.

Today, 44 years later, I find myself standing before two ships that embody the brutal and destructive chapter of human history that led to the moratorium. These two steam-powered relics are tied to the decimation of whale populations across our oceans and to unimaginable suffering inflicted on highly intelligent and sentient marine animals.

As I write this appeal, both of these ships are being prepared for what may become another, potentially their last, summer hunt off the coast of Iceland. While I have witnessed this process many times before, it remains a troubling and deeply upsetting sight. 

Yet despite this current troubling development, I remain hopeful that we may finally be witnessing the beginning of the end for this industry here in Iceland. Following years of meticulous documentation work that helped spark a political reassessment of commercial whaling and shift public perception regarding the continued exploitation of these animals, we may now be witnessing the final attempt by the whaling industry and its political enablers to resist a development that increasingly appears inevitable.

As we have reported on before, Iceland’s current Minister of Industries has repeatedly hinted at significant legislative changes in the second half of the year. Should this Government remain in power, and should these promises be fulfilled, it could permanently close the chapter on commercial whaling in Iceland. It is a hopeful and potentially historic moment – one that I, together with Hard To Port and many others, have worked passionately toward for years. 

At this critical moment, it feels more important than ever to remain present here in Iceland over the coming months – while also ensuring that our voices on behalf of the whales in these waters are represented internationally.

Earlier this year, as some of you may know, Hard To Port – Marine Conservation was granted observer status at the International Whaling Commission (IWC), thus enabling us to participate in future Commission meetings. This unquestionably marks an important milestone for Hard To Port and allows us to engage directly in the international forum where the future of whaling is debated and shaped. It also gives us the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations, while deepening our understanding of the many cetacean-related issues within the IWC’s scope.

For our non-profit, after years of engagement here in the North Atlantic, joining the international conversation on whaling is an essential next step  – and the International Whaling Commission provides that global platform. 

With this message, I am calling on my friends, long-time whale conservation companions, Hard To Port’s community and supporters, to help us make this important journey possible. 

From Ægisgarður – home to Iceland’s notorious fin whaling fleet and the birthplace of Hard To Port – Marine Conservation – to the conference halls of IWC70 in Hobart, Australia, it is a long road ahead.

17,553 kilometers, to be precise, as my self-crafted Icelandic road sign indicates.

If you would like to help me & Hard To Port take this journey, please consider contributing toward our fundraising goal of approximately €2,500 to help cover registration, participation, and transportation costs.

Thank you for your continued support, trust, and belief in our work for the whales of the North Atlantic.