The future of whale hunting in Iceland looks dim as the government hit it with a suspension. The move comes amid reports of animals suffering for hours on end.
The Icelandic government suspended whale hunting for the rest of the summer on Tuesday, following a report that found the practice contravenes the country's animal welfare standards.
"I have taken the decision to suspend whaling" until August 31, Food Minister Svandis Svavarsdottir said in a statement.
Iceland's Food and Veterinary Authority recently concluded that the killing of whales during the hunt took too long, according to the Animal Welfare Act, and provided a video showing a whale being hunted for five hours.
