Commercial whaling has declined dramatically since the 1986 IWC moratorium, but Norway, Iceland, and Japan continue whaling, raising acute welfare concerns about killing methods.
The welfare case against whaling is strong regardless of conservation arguments. Even the most efficient harpoon kills are rarely instant — animals frequently require additional killing shots and may experience prolonged suffering. Escape rates mean some wounded whales die slowly. The suffering involved, combined with the high intelligence and social complexity of whales, makes commercial whaling one of the most welfare-concerning practices permitted internationally. Consumer boycotts of Norwegian and Icelandic seafood have been effective pressure mechanisms historically.