Iceland has confirmed their intention to resume the commercial hunt of whales, with an announcement of annual quotas totaling 30 minke whales and 9 endangered fin whales.

Iceland joins Norway as the only two nations engaged in the commercial hunt of whales. Despite the new policy, the Icelandic government has stated that the catches will be set on a sustainable level.

"The total stock size of central and north Atlantic minke whales is close to 70,000 animals, of which around 43,600 are in Icelandic coastal waters," said the government's statement.

"The number of fin whales in the [area] is estimated at around 25,800 animals.

"The catches are clearly sustainable and therefore consistent with the principle of sustainable development."

Greenpeace captured the harpooning and extended death of a minke whale on film. The graphic film clip is below.