On board each vessel there is a government appointed veterinary-trained inspector, whose task is to ensure that whaling is carried out according to current regulations. Strictly regulated The total quota is distributed in five different management areas. It is expected that the total catch this year will only be about 450-500 animals. This is due to the relatively high quota in the North Sea, an area disliked by the whalers. Within each management area, a specific quota is then allocated to each boat participating in the hunt.
Whale watching Many opponents to whaling say that whale watching and hunting is incompatible.
However, again the Norwegian experience shows the opposite, as both commercial whale watching and commercial whale hunting take place in the same area. The High North Alliance does not see any contradiction in conducting whale watching and hunting in the same area. Both are two economic activities that can help provide a livelihood in rural coastal communities.