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Frequently asked questions
Everything You’ve Wanted to Ask About Whales, Puffins, and Iceland
Isn’t whaling part of Icelandic culture?
Whaling has taken place here, but it was never a central part of Icelandic life. It was mostly foreign whalers who hunted in Icelandic waters. Today, most Icelanders don’t support whaling and rarely eat whale meat.
Do Icelanders eat whale meat?
Hardly at all. Surveys show that only a small minority of Icelanders eat whale, and consumption has been falling for years. 82% of Icelanders have NEVER eaten whale meat. Most of the whale meat sold here is ordered by tourists.
Do Icelanders eat puffin meat?
Very rarely. Puffin numbers have dropped sharply in recent decades, and hunting mostly continues to serve tourists. Most Icelanders today don’t eat puffins and support protecting them instead.
Why are puffins so special?
Puffins are remarkable seabirds. They lay only one egg a year, stay with the same partner for life, and return to the very same nesting cliffs season after season. Their bright beaks and comical expressions have made them an icon of Iceland’s natural heritage. But puffin numbers have fallen sharply in recent decades, so it is essential to give them space to recover.
Is whale meat sustainable?
No. Whales have been heavily overhunted in the past and are further threatened by overfishing and pollution. In fact, whales are vital for ocean health, as their feeding and migration help cycle nutrients, support fish stocks, and capture carbon. Whales reproduce slowly, making them very vulnerable to hunting, which makes hunting them unsustainable.
What’s the problem with trying it just once?
Even a small portion of whale meat can carry health risks, as whales accumulate high levels of heavy metals like mercury in their tissues. Mercury exposure is linked to neurological damage in adults and developmental problems in children. On top of that, tourist demand is what keeps commercial whaling alive, even one “just to try it” order tells restaurants to keep whale on the menu.
Why should tourists care about this?
Your choices shape the future of Iceland’s wildlife. Choosing not to eat whale or puffin helps protect these species, supports sustainable tourism, and shows respect for Iceland’s natural heritage.
Is this campaign anti-Icelandic?
Not at all. It reflects what most Icelanders already believe, that whales and puffins are worth more alive than dead. Protecting them protects the land, livelihoods, and traditions that make Iceland special.
What can I do instead?
Watching these animals in the wild supports local jobs and sustainable tourism. A living animal always brings more to Iceland, the environment, the economy, and future visitors, than one served on a plate. Go whale watching or puffin spotting - experiences that create lasting memories.
What does the pledge actually do?
By signing, you show that visitors want whale- and puffin-friendly choices. Every signature strengthens the message to businesses and policymakers: Iceland’s future is wild, alive, and worth protecting.
Isn’t whaling part of Icelandic culture?
Whaling has taken place here, but it was never a central part of Icelandic life. It was mostly foreign whalers who hunted in Icelandic waters. Today, most Icelanders don’t support whaling and rarely eat whale meat.
Do Icelanders eat whale meat?
Hardly at all. Surveys show that only a small minority of Icelanders eat whale, and consumption has been falling for years. 82% of Icelanders have NEVER eaten whale meat. Most of the whale meat sold here is ordered by tourists.
Do Icelanders eat puffin meat?
Very rarely. Puffin numbers have dropped sharply in recent decades, and hunting mostly continues to serve tourists. Most Icelanders today don’t eat puffins and support protecting them instead.
Why are puffins so special?
Puffins are remarkable seabirds. They lay only one egg a year, stay with the same partner for life, and return to the very same nesting cliffs season after season. Their bright beaks and comical expressions have made them an icon of Iceland’s natural heritage. But puffin numbers have fallen sharply in recent decades, so it is essential to give them space to recover.
Is whale meat sustainable?
No. Whales have been heavily overhunted in the past and are further threatened by overfishing and pollution. In fact, whales are vital for ocean health, as their feeding and migration help cycle nutrients, support fish stocks, and capture carbon. Whales reproduce slowly, making them very vulnerable to hunting, which makes hunting them unsustainable.
What’s the problem with trying it just once?
Even a small portion of whale meat can carry health risks, as whales accumulate high levels of heavy metals like mercury in their tissues. Mercury exposure is linked to neurological damage in adults and developmental problems in children. On top of that, tourist demand is what keeps commercial whaling alive, even one “just to try it” order tells restaurants to keep whale on the menu.
Why should tourists care about this?
Your choices shape the future of Iceland’s wildlife. Choosing not to eat whale or puffin helps protect these species, supports sustainable tourism, and shows respect for Iceland’s natural heritage.
Is this campaign anti-Icelandic?
Not at all. It reflects what most Icelanders already believe, that whales and puffins are worth more alive than dead. Protecting them protects the land, livelihoods, and traditions that make Iceland special.
What can I do instead?
Watching these animals in the wild supports local jobs and sustainable tourism. A living animal always brings more to Iceland, the environment, the economy, and future visitors, than one served on a plate. Go whale watching or puffin spotting - experiences that create lasting memories.
What does the pledge actually do?
By signing, you show that visitors want whale- and puffin-friendly choices. Every signature strengthens the message to businesses and policymakers: Iceland’s future is wild, alive, and worth protecting.
Isn’t whaling part of Icelandic culture?
Whaling has taken place here, but it was never a central part of Icelandic life. It was mostly foreign whalers who hunted in Icelandic waters. Today, most Icelanders don’t support whaling and rarely eat whale meat.
Do Icelanders eat whale meat?
Hardly at all. Surveys show that only a small minority of Icelanders eat whale, and consumption has been falling for years. 82% of Icelanders have NEVER eaten whale meat. Most of the whale meat sold here is ordered by tourists.
Do Icelanders eat puffin meat?
Very rarely. Puffin numbers have dropped sharply in recent decades, and hunting mostly continues to serve tourists. Most Icelanders today don’t eat puffins and support protecting them instead.
Why are puffins so special?
Puffins are remarkable seabirds. They lay only one egg a year, stay with the same partner for life, and return to the very same nesting cliffs season after season. Their bright beaks and comical expressions have made them an icon of Iceland’s natural heritage. But puffin numbers have fallen sharply in recent decades, so it is essential to give them space to recover.
Is whale meat sustainable?
No. Whales have been heavily overhunted in the past and are further threatened by overfishing and pollution. In fact, whales are vital for ocean health, as their feeding and migration help cycle nutrients, support fish stocks, and capture carbon. Whales reproduce slowly, making them very vulnerable to hunting, which makes hunting them unsustainable.
What’s the problem with trying it just once?
Even a small portion of whale meat can carry health risks, as whales accumulate high levels of heavy metals like mercury in their tissues. Mercury exposure is linked to neurological damage in adults and developmental problems in children. On top of that, tourist demand is what keeps commercial whaling alive, even one “just to try it” order tells restaurants to keep whale on the menu.
Why should tourists care about this?
Your choices shape the future of Iceland’s wildlife. Choosing not to eat whale or puffin helps protect these species, supports sustainable tourism, and shows respect for Iceland’s natural heritage.
Is this campaign anti-Icelandic?
Not at all. It reflects what most Icelanders already believe, that whales and puffins are worth more alive than dead. Protecting them protects the land, livelihoods, and traditions that make Iceland special.
What can I do instead?
Watching these animals in the wild supports local jobs and sustainable tourism. A living animal always brings more to Iceland, the environment, the economy, and future visitors, than one served on a plate. Go whale watching or puffin spotting - experiences that create lasting memories.
What does the pledge actually do?
By signing, you show that visitors want whale- and puffin-friendly choices. Every signature strengthens the message to businesses and policymakers: Iceland’s future is wild, alive, and worth protecting.
They are worth more alive.
Pledge not to eat them!
They are worth more alive.
Pledge not to eat them!
They are worth more alive.
Pledge not to eat them!