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Whale Meat Makes Comeback in Iceland

Sellers aim to introduce dish to youth market

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 2, 2008 9:16 AM CDT

(Newser) – Illegal for two decades, whale meat is back on menus in Iceland, and entrepreneurs are hoping to turn young people on to its charms, the Wall Street Journal reports. The food is reminiscent of beef, but costs only half as much—perhaps a mark in its favor for the young. Still, encouraging them to try the stuff is difficult. “It's not going to happen,” says one 20-year-old.

Commercial whaling was banned in 1986, but 2 years ago, Icelandic authorities deemed the animals’ population big enough to resume the tradition. “It's part of this nation,” says an ex-fisherman. Iceland and Japan are two of the few countries that hunt whales; Japan is also trying to spark interest in the meat among young people, using it in school lunches.

A Japanese woman sells pieces of dried whale meat on June 21, 2007.
A Japanese woman sells pieces of dried whale meat on June 21, 2007.   (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)
 International Whaling Commission chair Bill Hogarth, center, addresses delegates from Japan and Iceland in Alaska.
International Whaling Commission chair Bill Hogarth, center, addresses delegates from Japan and Iceland in Alaska.   (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen)
Minke whales like this one are back on the menu in Iceland.
Minke whales like this one are back on the menu in Iceland.   (AP Photo/IFAW)
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