Iceland announced last night it is to resume limited hunting of whales.
The island nation's Ministry of Fisheries said it planned to hunt 38 minke whales for scientific research this year, cutting back on plans for a bigger take that had angered opponents when Iceland presented it at a meeting of the International Whaling Commission in June.
Officials had said then that Iceland wanted to kill 100 minkes, 100 fin whales and 50 sei whales for each of the next two years.
The ministry said its quota of 38 minkes was "clearly a minimalist approach" that "shows Iceland's willingness to be constructive and compromise when it comes to whaling issues".
But the announcement has angered environmental groups who questioned its assertion that the kills were for scientific research.
Mr Rolland Schmitten, the American delegate to the whaling commission, said the Icelandic government had informed US and other ambassadors of its plans. "We oppose it. We're disappointed," Mr Schmitten said in a telephone interview. "It's not relevant science, it's not necessary".
PA