Whalers launch hunt off Norwegian coast

Norway's annual whale hunt is underway again.

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Some 30 whaling boats are taking part in this year's hunt off Norway's coast. The first whales have already been shot and fresh whale meat is expected soon in local markets.

The hunt is underway with boats hailing from Fredrikstad in the south to Vesterålen in the north. Northern Norwegian whalers will join in from May 14.

The boats have been allowed to kill a total of 549 minke whales this season, which officials claim is less than 0.5 percent of stocks in Norwegian waters. International whaling authorities have estimated up to 118,000 whales in the area.

Norway's whale hunt remains controversial but there was no initial word of protesters interfering with the whaling that began this week.

The country's small but determined whaling industry has been buoyed this year by the government's decision in January to allow exports of whale products. Blubber has traditionally had a lucrative market in Japan, and isnow going for aboutNOK 57 per kilo.

Aftenposten Interactive English Desk
Nina Berglund