Millionaire whaler who thinks whales are fish
So AFP reports that Kristjan Loftsson, Iceland's millionaire whaler, doesn't really see the difference between whales and fish, "whales are just another fish". He went onto say, "If they are so intelligent, why don't they stay outside of Iceland's territorial waters?"
"Whales are just another fish for me, an abundant marine resource, nothing else," he said.
This is the man that is dragging Iceland through the mire with the international community. Whilst he is rich and can wallow in his millions when Icelanders around him suffer, he seems determined to ruin the Icelandic tourism industry making Iceland more of pariah.
Loftsson is also lobbying hard to stop Iceland from joining the EU. Not because its bad for Iceland and Icelanders - indeed membership would be a huge boost in support for the economy, but because its likely to be bad for him and his millions as the EU has a ban on whaling.
Never has one man stood to gain so much by denying so many others.
PS. Loftsson waffles on about killing whales with exploding grenades - well have a look at this picture for the truth. Full AFP story.
If you want to read more of the rant from this millionaire, see AFP
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I imagine he just said that to wind up the "white-collar beggars, who are against everything".
So best not to give him the pleasure of showing that he got a rise out of you.
He has a point though, I don't think whaling seriously harms Iceland's tourism or economy. The value of the currency surely has a far greater impact on tourism.
you are right about the currency tempting people there, but I think there is an impact when people think about what restaurants to frequent etc.
Which is a shame as I think Iceland is one of the most remarkable places on earth - just don't like the fact that some people are whaling.