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Whale back on the menu in Norway - 14th September 2020

Some people in Norway are rediscovering whale meat following generations of falling popularity.

After the global ban on commercial whaling 30 years ago, whale hunting is currently only conducted by Iceland, Norway and Japan, who objected to the ban. With whale meat having fallen out of favour in Norway, most of the country's catch is exported to Japan, where demand remains strong. However, for the first time in years, Norwegian businesses are reporting domestic whale meat consumption is on the up.

Far from being found on every table in Norway, whale meat is typically only a speciality dish in northern restaurants. General manager Ersnt Iseli of Hopen Fisk, a fish processing company, said that recent sales have "exceeded all expectations". He suggested coronavirus-related travel restrictions might have played a part in this rise.

With many Norwegians forced to take staycations this year, local tourism and interest in local and traditional dishes has grown.

This has been a surprisingly swift reversal in taste. Only a year ago, a survey found whale was consumed regularly by just 4% of Norwegians. Two thirds said they had yet to try it.

In addition, changes to the law have boosted the whale meat supply in Norway. By relaxing restrictions on whaling ships, only requiring one person with whaling experience on board, the Norwegian government has made it easier to hunt the cetaceans. Activists and conservationists are concerned that with the minke whale already a protected species, weaker laws will risk whales’ welfare and may prove disastrous for their populations.