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The Icelandic company, Hvalur H/F, dates back to 1948 when it was established by the father of its current CEO, Kristján Loftsson. Loftsson first participated in the family whaling business in 1956 at the age of 13 as a scout on his father's boat.
"Whales are just another fish for me, an abundant marine resource, nothing else."
The company owns four catcher ships, although only two are currently in service, named Hvalur 6, 7, 8, and 9. When whales are spotted the catcher ships will engage in pursuit. A 90mm cannon with a grenade tipped harpoon is fired at the target whale. A rope is trailed from the harpoon in order to prevent the whale from being lost.
Each caught whale is secured to the side of a harpoon ship with rope and later towed to a shore station located at Hvalfjörður. Once at the shore station, ropes are used to winch the carcass ashore where workers use specialized tools to butcher the whale.
The Fin whale meat is exported to Japan. However, as a result of damage Japan sustained during the earthquake and tsunami in March, 2011, Hvalur H/F temporarily suspended hunting and work at the shore station. It has been resumed as of July 2013. - Wikipedia