Icelandic whaling practices continue to thwart international efforts to protect whale species around the globe. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has informed the President that Iceland's fin whale hunt is a direct threat to the species, and recommends the U.S. take action, including potential trade sanctions, to persuade Iceland to stop the whale hunts. President Obama has 60 days to respond to the request by Mr. Locke. Given that the fin whale fishing industry in Iceland supports a dwindling market in Japan (it is not used for domestic consumption), now is the time for the President to step forward and put the pressure on Iceland to reign in this archaic and unnecessary practice.

photo credit: Alan Vernon