Whale meat popular again in Norway - 14th September 2020

Whale meat is becoming more popular in Norway for the first time in years.

Norway, Iceland and Japan are the only countries in the world that kill whales. Norwegians used to eat whale, but it became unpopular. Whale meat is more popular in Japan, so Norway usually sends a lot of its catch there. However, this year more Norwegians are eating whale.

Whale meat is not eaten all over Norway. But it is often a dish on menus in the north of the country. Hopen Fisk is a northern fish company. It has now sold all of its whale meat. Ersnt Iseli manages Hopen Fisk. He thinks the reason might be the coronavirus.

This year, there are a lot of travel restrictions. Many Norwegians are taking holidays within Norway. The tourists are interested in local cuisine and are trying whale meat.

It is a sudden change in habits. In 2019, only 4% of Norwegians said they ate whale regularly. Most Norwegians had never eaten it.

A change in Norway's laws has increased the supply of whale meat. Now, more boats are allowed to kill whales. Animal activists are worried. Whales are a protected species. If Norway continues to kill whales, one day there might be none left.