Hunting whales off Norway's north coast has become a lucrative business in recent years as cameras replace the harpoons of Norway's controversial whalers. To many people, whales are mysterious creatures and this has made whale watching very popular. Whale watching takes place in about 40 countries with popular locations off the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and the Dominican Republic.
Chances are more limited in Europe.
Most other places in Europe involve a nine-hour trip to find these depths. From humble beginnings with just 360 tourists in 1988, the number of visitors to the Whale Centre has surged to over 12,000 this year with a large number coming from Germany, Spain, Japan and Taiwan. Two smaller operators have also set up nearby so the total number is even higher. While an ideal location for nature-loving tourists to spot whales, this area is also prime hunting ground for Norwegian whalers who, since 1993, have defied the global ban on whale hunting, killing minke whales for their meat. The Norwegian government argues that minke whales are not endangered and limited hunting is safe for the stock, setting its own quota each year.