What is the current thinking of great Britain for whale hunting?

As of 2023, Whale hunting is illegal in the UK. In 1982 the UK signed the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) which set a moratorium on commercial whaling. The UK has been a member of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) since 1949 and has consistently supported the moratorium.

Under the ICRW the only exceptions to the moratorium are for aboriginal subsistence whaling and scientific research. The IWC has established criteria for aboriginal subsistence whaling and only certain indigenous communities are allowed to hunt whales under this provision.