Where is whaling legal?

As of 2014, whaling is legal in the countries of Japan, Norway and Iceland. While the International Whaling Commission banned commercial whaling in 1986 to protect the species, these countries have each used loopholes to continue the practice.

As of 2014, an estimated 30,000 whales have been killed since the ban went into effect, with the three countries currently killing up to 2,000 whales between them each year. Bryde's, fin, humpback, minke, sei and sperm whales are the species most affected. Grenade harpoons are commonly used to kill these marine animals; the IWC criticizes these weapons for causing a slow, painful death.