Dear Prime Minister/Embassador,
I am appalled to learn that Iceland has decided to resume commercial whaling under the guise of scientific research, and plans to kill 38 minke whales this summer. I am deeply disappointed that Iceland has taken this decision in spite of the declaration of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) at its recent 55th meeting, that commercially motivated research whaling represents "an act contrary to the spirit of the moratorium on commercial whaling and to the will of the Commission". At this meeting, the IWC specifically urged Iceland not to start so-called "research" whaling.
As you will recall, during the IWC's debate about Iceland's proposal to resume Scientific Whaling, thirty nine national delegates of the IWC's Scientific Committee's from many nations concluded that, not only was Iceland's research proposal poorly contrived and unlikely to yield relevant results, but that it was "deficient in almost every respect".
I find it hard to believe that, despite this degree of criticism, Iceland intends to proceed with its hunt. The fact that Iceland has reduced the number of species, and whales, to be hunted, for the moment makes the proposal no more credible, or acceptable. In fact, it simply suggests that Iceland fears an adverse reaction from the international community and wishes to test the waters on a more moderate scale.
I can assure you that the world community will react very decisively to Iceland's decision, no matter how many whales are taken.
In addition to the impact that Iceland's decision will have on its international reputation and economy, I believe that it will also, sadly, have severe repercussions for its valuable whale watching industry. Iceland has had one of the highest growth rates for whale watching in the world, with thousands of tourists contributing millions of dollars to the Icelandic economy. Adverse consumer reaction to whaling will be devastating for Iceland's tourism-reliant economy.
I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to resume scientific whaling.
Yours sincerely, | 
