Earlier decision by outgoing Icelandic government to increase whaling quota for the next five years to be reconsidered, new government saysceland's new government may revoke a controversial decision taken last week to increase the country's whaling quota more than sixfold.Finance minister, Steingrimur Sigfusson, who is also the fisheries minister, told a news conference yesterday: "We agreed in a government meeting this morning to send a formal warning out to those with vested interests in whaling, saying that the recent decision of the ex-minister of fisheries about increasing the whaling quota for the next five years is now being reconsidered."He added: "We intend to make a policy statement about this issue in a few days."Iceland's previous prime minister, Geir Haarde, stepped down on 26 January after civil unrest following the collapse of the country's currency and banking system.
celand's new government may revoke a controversial decision taken last week to increase the country's whaling quota more than sixfold.
Finance minister, Steingrimur Sigfusson, who is also the fisheries minister, told a news conference yesterday: "We agreed in a government meeting this morning to send a formal warning out to those with vested interests in whaling, saying that the recent decision of the ex-minister of fisheries about increasing the whaling quota for the next five years is now being reconsidered."
He added: "We intend to make a policy statement about this issue in a few days."
Iceland's previous prime minister, Geir Haarde, stepped down on 26 January after civil unrest following the collapse of the country's currency and banking system.
A boat carrying a group of radical anti-whaling activists collided with a Japanese whaling vessel in the Antarctic Ocean on Friday in a clash Japan condemned as "unforgivable." No one was injured.Activist Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society said his boat was trying to prevent a Japanese ship from dragging a whale on board when another Japanese boat shot in front of Watson's vessel, causing a collision."The situation down here is getting very, very chaotic and very aggressive," Watson told The Associated Press by satellite phone from his boat, named after the late Australian conservationist and TV personality, Steve Irwin.In a statement, the Institute of Cetacean Research -- the Japanese government-affiliated organization that oversees the hunt -- condemned the protesters' actions, characterizing the collision as a "deliberate ramming" that occurred while the Japanese were trying to load a whale on board one of their ships.Shigeki Takaya, a Fisheries Agency spokesman for whaling in Japan, called the incident "appalling and unforgivable."
Activist Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society said his boat was trying to prevent a Japanese ship from dragging a whale on board when another Japanese boat shot in front of Watson's vessel, causing a collision.
"The situation down here is getting very, very chaotic and very aggressive," Watson told The Associated Press by satellite phone from his boat, named after the late Australian conservationist and TV personality, Steve Irwin.
In a statement, the Institute of Cetacean Research -- the Japanese government-affiliated organization that oversees the hunt -- condemned the protesters' actions, characterizing the collision as a "deliberate ramming" that occurred while the Japanese were trying to load a whale on board one of their ships.
Shigeki Takaya, a Fisheries Agency spokesman for whaling in Japan, called the incident "appalling and unforgivable."
