What Whale and Dolphin Conservation has going on in 2026
A global ban on commercial whaling will mark its 40th anniversary in 2026. Back in 1946, in response to rapidly declining whale populations, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) was founded to manage whale stocks sustainably. In 1986, it enacted a moratorium on commercial whaling.
But despite this ban, some countries still hunt whales by exploiting various “loopholes.” Japan, Iceland, and Norway continue to kill hundreds of fin whales, as well as minke, Bryde’s, sei, and beaked whales every year. In all three countries, whaling is mainly justified as a way to protect cultural traditions or ensure food security for local communities. Yet fewer and fewer people in Japan, Norway, and Iceland actually support whaling—most see no relevance in it today. At the same time, voices calling for a permanent end to whaling are growing louder.
In 2026, WDC will build on the work of recent years with a clear mission: to find local allies who can help end whaling from within Norway, Iceland, and Japan. Only by appealing to people’s hearts and minds can we create lasting change at the government level. For more than 30 years, WDC has also participated in IWC meetings to represent the interests of whales directly on the global stage.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the whaling moratorium, WDC—together with other NGOs—has launched a global petition calling for the final, permanent end of commercial whaling. The signatures will be presented at the next IWC conference in fall 2026.
