Iceland is grappling with the question of whether whales are worth more dead or alive as the nation's whalers ready their harpoons to resume hunting after a 14-year break.
Iceland ceased whaling in 1989 under international pressure but said this year it would catch 38 minke whales in August and September for "scientific purposes" as part of a plan to take 100 minke whales, 100 fin whales and 50 sei whales annually.
At the Marine Research Institute, scientist Gisli Vikingsson said today that three ships would sail from undisclosed locations at undisclosed times in coming days to avoid protesters.
"Norwegians do it, Russians do it, Japanese do it, Americans do it, why can't we?" Vikingsson said, adding that the explosive harpoons used were humane and killed instantly. "It's compared to hunting mammals on land, like moose, and it is far superior".
With seven of the 13 great whale species endangered, the International Whaling Commission has outlawed commercial hunting of the world's largest mammal since 1986.
Norway defies the ban and Japan uses a loophole for scientific catches. Indigenous people in Greenland, Siberia and the US state of Alaska are allowed to continue traditional "subsistence" whaling.
Iceland says it must control whales to protect fish stocks. An estimated 43,000 minke whales are believed to live in its waters, eating two million tons of fish and krill every year.
Although the angry reaction from foreign governments and green groups has raised fears of a blacklash against Iceland's exports and growing tourist industry, polls show 75 per cent of its 290,000 people support the returning to whaling.
Whale meat is served in restaurants in Rejkjavik, jarring with the success of the whale-watching industry which took out 62,050 tourists last year. Erna Hauksdottir, head of the travel industry lobby, fears a backlash: "History shows us discussion of whaling often lead to protests outside our offices abroad."
But Fisheries Minister Arni Matthiesen believes Iceland's "interests are better served with whaling than without it".