This is the view of anti-whale hunters who protested yesterday at the capture and processing of two fin whales off Iceland's west coast to mark the start of the new season.

Environmentalists believe that the decision by European Union members to ban whaling will also affect Iceland if the country decides to go in. At the moment Icelanders are divided on the issue of whaling , although a majority still favour the continuation of the practice - as does most of the population of its neighbour Greenland which has just won further independence from the mother country Denmark.

Iceland is also divided on EU membership, although last year's economic collapse has swung the vote in favour of those who want membership. Observers believe that the fishing will be a deciding factor in any referendum.

Iceland has authorised a quota for the hunting of 150 fin whales in the current season, but so far very few have been caught. Whaling, however, gives work to at least 100 people in an area where unemployment in fish processing has been growing.

Meanwhile, Greenpeace has severely criticised Iceland's new Left-Green Government on the whaling issue. Sarah Holden from Greenpeace said: 'The government has dismally failed to show leadership despite its own outspoken opposition to the hunt,. Its reputation and that of Iceland as a whole was sliced and diced by a single company special interest lobby.'

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