Norway's Whale Slaughter Norway has licensed 30 boats to kill up to 1052 minke whales this year, up from 670 in 2004 and 796 in 2005, according to UnderwaterTimes.com.

The article demonstrates how the business of whaling is maintained by government subsidies aimed at propping up a fading way of life for whale hunters.

The whale boats consistently have trouble meeting their numbers, and Norwegians don't even want the meat that the hunt produces. Because of fuel costs, the whale boats asked for and received permission to hunt coastal whales, but that brings them conflict with a growing whale-watching trade. Last year, a whaler harpooned and killed a minke whale in front of a horrified whale-watching boat.

In the past, minkes, which grow to about 30 feet long, were considered too small to be worthwhile to hunt. But the larger species have now grown so rare, whalers have turned their guns to this species....  ¶ 7:25 AM