Amid protests, Iceland resumes whale hunts for fishing research

REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Two ships commissioned by Iceland's government left port Sunday to begin the hunt for 38 minke whales over the next six weeks, despite the protests of conservationists and several governments.

The Sigurbjorg and the Njordur are taking part in the hunt, which Iceland says is intended for scientific research, but which Britain and the United States have labeled unnecessary.

The two ships and a third had been scheduled to set out Friday, but were delayed by bad weather. It is the first whale hunt by Iceland in 14 years.

Iceland has declined to give information about the ship's routes and has sought to prevent photos -- rejecting media requests to monitor the killings and ordering captains not to fire harpoons if other vessels are near.

Conservationists have said they want to draw the world's attention to the hunt. The International Fund for Animal Welfare has representatives in Reykjavik, the capital, and the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior is on its way to the country.

Iceland state radio reported that the Sigurbjorg left just before 1 a.m. The Njordur left Kopavogur harbor, south of Reykjavik, about 3:30 p.m. -- trailed by a ship carrying Gill Sanders, representing the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Sanders planned to monitor the first kill to see how long it takes for a minke whale to die.

"It's going to be the most distressing thing of my life," she said. "But that's why I'm here, and we need to know exactly what's going on."

The hunters plan to kill 38 whales during August and September. The government says the cull is needed to study the stomach contents of the mammals to measure their effect on fish stocks such as cod, which are vital to the national economy.

The International Whaling Commission banned commercial whaling in 1986 to protect the endangered mammals, but approved restricted hauls for research programs. Iceland carried out research whaling for three years after the ban -- catching fin and sei whales -- then halted the hunts altogether in 1989.

Nations opposed to whaling, including the United States, say there is no scientific basis for Iceland's research. Animal welfare groups fear the hunt is intended to gauge international reaction before the resumption of commercial whaling.

Whale meat not used by scientists for research will be sold to consumers in Iceland.

The country's Marine Research Institute estimates there are 43,000 minke whales in Icelandic waters and says the hunts will not affect the population.

Iceland initially proposed to kill more animals -- 100 minkes, 100 fin whales and 50 sei whales for each of the next two years -- but scaled back the plan following opposition from members of the International Whaling Commission.

Japan also hunts whales for what it says are research purposes and has said it is looking for ways to resume commercial hunting. Norway has ignored the ban since 1993.