Top Minke Whale Fishing Countries

The minke whale, the smallest member of the rorqual family, is a baleen whale known for its streamlined body and distinctive white band on its flippers. Historically, minke whales were not a primary target for commercial whalers, but as larger whale populations declined, they became a more significant focus. Today, the main countries engaged in minke whale hunting are Norway, Japan, and, to a lesser extent, Iceland. Norway leads the world in minke whale catches, conducting commercial whaling under an objection to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium. Japan, after leaving the IWC in 2019, resumed commercial whaling in its territorial waters, with minke whales being a primary species harvested. Iceland has also hunted minke whales, though at a smaller scale and with intermittent activity. The minke whale fishery is controversial, facing strong opposition from conservation groups and many nations, but it remains a culturally and economically significant industry in these countries.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.