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Is whale meat banned in your country?
The 2026 map of where whale meat is banned or restricted, aired Nov 6, 2026. Sources
Sources: Habitats Directive 92/43; UK CHSR 2017 · NOAA MMPA comparability findings, Aug 2025 · National statutes, 2025-26 texts · How we rate it
Is it banned where you live? Check your countryBanned in 35 countries
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
EU law bans selling any whale, dead or alive, or any part of one.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched.
Customs probed whale meat hidden in Norwegian dog sausages (2024).
Source: Habitats Dir.; Finland Tulli
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched. Finland: national whale law bans all whale meat imports; Customs probe of minke meat in Norwegian dog sausages (Tulli, Dec 2024).
EU law bans the sale; customs seized whale meat at a 2014 Berlin fair.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched. Germany: customs confiscated Norwegian minke meat at Berlin Green Week, Jan 2014 (The Local).
A 2008 law bans killing, owning or selling any whale or dolphin.
Source: Chile Ley 20.293 (2008)
Why we rate it this way
Ley 20.293 (published 25 Oct 2008) Art 2: prohibits killing, hunting, capturing, possessing, transporting, landing, processing, commercialising or storing any cetacean in Chilean waters; still invoked in Nov 2025 complaints to Sernapesca over 2025 humpback deaths (Antarctic Endeavour).
A 2016 animal welfare law bans buying or selling whales and dolphins.
Source: Peru Ley 30407 art 26
Why we rate it this way
Ley 30407 Ley de Proteccion y Bienestar Animal (gazetted 8 Jan 2016) Art 26 prohibits hunting, capture, extraction and purchase and sale of marine mammals, defined to include cetaceans (NOAA comparability finding, Aug 2025).
Catching, selling or buying whales has been banned since 1997.
Source: FAO 185-1 (1997); NOAA 2025
Why we rate it this way
BFAR Fisheries Administrative Order 185-1 (1997) extended FAO 185's ban on taking, selling, purchasing, possessing, transporting or exporting dolphins, dead or alive, raw or processed, to whales and porpoises; confirmed in NOAA comparability finding, Aug 2025.
All whales are top-protected; dealing in their meat is a crime.
Source: Wild Life (Prot.) Act s.49B
Why we rate it this way
Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972: cetaceans in Schedule I (schedules merged by the 2022 amendment); s.49B bars dealing in meat of scheduled animals and cooking or serving it in any eating-house (NOAA comparability finding, Aug 2025, lists cetaceans in the schedules).
Owning, importing or selling a whale part without a permit is illegal.
Source: Marine Mammals Prot Act 1978
Why we rate it this way
Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 s.9: offence to take, possess, import or control any marine mammal (incl. parts) except under the Act or a permit; Wildlife Act bars buying or selling protected marine wildlife incl. marine mammals (NOAA comparability finding, Aug 2025).
Its whales are state-protected: selling or eating them is banned.
Source: Wildlife Protection Law 2022
Why we rate it this way
Wildlife Protection Law (revised 30 Dec 2022, in force 1 May 2023) Art 28 bans selling, buying or using state key protected wildlife and products; Art 31 bans eating them; the 2021 national list puts minke, fin, humpback, blue and other large whales in Class I (IFAW).
Whaled until 1978; now whale meat can't even be imported to sell.
Source: EPBC Act s232B; F2017L00349
Why we rate it this way
EPBC Act 1999 s229-229D: killing, taking or treating (cutting up, extracting products from) a cetacean is an offence in the Australian Whale Sanctuary and beyond; F2017L00349 (in force, legislation.gov.au) treats all Cetacea as CITES App. I, so whale meat cannot be imported for commercial use. Bringing any whale part or product into Australia is an offence under EPBC s232B (up to 10 years; personal non-commercial items excepted).
Once a whaling giant; now selling any part of a whale is an offence.
Source: CHSR 2017 reg 43(3)
Why we rate it this way
Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 reg 43(3)-(4): offence to possess, transport, sell or exchange any live or dead animal, part or derivative of an Annex IV(a) species (all Cetacea) taken from the wild (legislation.gov.uk, up to date to 15 Oct 2026).
Its Faroe Islands hunt whales, but EU law bans selling it in Denmark.
Source: Habitats Dir. 92/43 Art 12
Why we rate it this way
Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC Art 12(2): states must ban keeping, transport, sale or exchange of Annex IV(a) specimens taken from the wild; Annex IV(a) lists CETACEA 'All species'; specimen includes any part or derivative (Art 1(m)). Directive in force; amended 17 Jun 2025 by Dir. (EU) 2025/1237 for the wolf only - cetaceans untouched. Denmark: its territories the Faroe Islands and Greenland (outside the EU) hunt whales, but bringing whale meat into Denmark without authorisation can be fined up to DKK 10,000 (KVF, 11 Dec 2019).
Everywhere not listed here, whale meat is allowed.
Restricted in 7 countries
Banned for most, but Alaska Native villages may sell some whale meat.
Source: MMPA s101(b); NOAA 2025
Why we rate it this way
Marine Mammal Protection Act bans take and sale; s101(b) Alaska Native exemption: edible portions may be sold in Native villages and towns in Alaska or for Native consumption; bowhead and Cook Inlet beluga meat may not be sold by anyone (NOAA Alaska page, updated 23 Jan 2025).
Selling whale meat is banned, except by Inuit and First Nations.
Source: Marine Mammal Regs s.13
Why we rate it this way
SOR/93-56 s.13(1): no person shall buy, sell, trade or barter the edible parts of a cetacean; s.13(2) exempts Indians/Inuit in NWT, Yukon, Quebec and NL and land-claim beneficiaries (Justice Laws, current to 21 Sep 2026).
Owning parts of listed whales needs a permit under biodiversity law.
Source: NEMBA TOPS regs; NOAA 2025
Why we rate it this way
Biodiversity Act 2004 bars restricted activities, incl. possession or control of a specimen, on listed species without a permit; most marine mammals are listed under the marine TOPS regulations (R 477 of 2017; NOAA comparability finding, Aug 2025). A permit route exists, so not a full ban.
Selling listed whales or dolphins needs the fisheries chief's permit.
Source: Fisheries Regs 1999; NOAA
Why we rate it this way
Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) Regulations 1999 reg 2(1): no person shall possess, sell, buy, export or transport listed species except with the Director-General's written permission; marine mammals are in the Schedule (NOAA, Aug 2025); 9 more cetaceans being added (Malay Mail, 20 Feb 2026). Permit route + species list = partial.
Bryde's and Omura's whales are top-protected; trading them is a crime.
Source: Wildlife Act 2019 (Thailand)
Why we rate it this way
Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act B.E. 2562 (in force 25 Nov 2019) made Bryde's and Omura's whales preserved wildlife; trading them is an offence; humpback whale and others added as protected in Sep 2025 (Pattaya Mail, citing the Royal Gazette). Listed species only, so partial.
All whales are protected, but the Lamalera village hunt still goes on.
Source: Law 5/1990 Art 21; NOAA 2025
Why we rate it this way
All marine mammals protected (PP 7/1999; Permen LHK 106/2018); Law 5/1990 Art 21(2) bans trading protected animals, dead or alive (NOAA comparability finding, Aug 2025). The Lamalera sperm-whale hunt continues with no legal carve-out; its legal status is disputed, so amber.
Hunting any whale is banned; the law is silent on imported meat.
Source: LGVS art 60 Bis (2025)
Why we rate it this way
Ley General de Vida Silvestre art 60 Bis (current to the DOF reform of 16 Jul 2025): no marine mammal may be taken from the wild for subsistence or commercial use, except authorised research. The article does not cover importing or selling whale meat.
Show the 153 countries where it is allowed
No qualifying national law was found for these countries in the sources under Sources.
All 195 countries: is whale meat banned?
AfghanistanAllowed
AlbaniaAllowed
AlgeriaAllowed
AndorraAllowed
AngolaAllowed
Antigua & BarbudaAllowed
ArgentinaAllowed
ArmeniaAllowed
AustraliaBanned
AustriaBanned
AzerbaijanAllowed
BahamasAllowed
BahrainAllowed
BangladeshAllowed
BarbadosAllowed
BelarusAllowed
BelgiumBanned
BelizeAllowed
BeninAllowed
BhutanAllowed
BoliviaAllowed
Bosnia & HerzegovinaAllowed
BotswanaAllowed
BrazilAllowed
BruneiAllowed
BulgariaBanned
Burkina FasoAllowed
BurundiAllowed
CambodiaAllowed
CameroonAllowed
CanadaRestricted
Cape VerdeAllowed
Central African RepublicAllowed
ChadAllowed
ChileBanned
ChinaBanned
ColombiaAllowed
ComorosAllowed
Congo - BrazzavilleAllowed
Congo - KinshasaAllowed
Costa RicaAllowed
CroatiaBanned
CubaAllowed
CyprusBanned
CzechiaBanned
Côte d’IvoireAllowed
DenmarkBanned
DjiboutiAllowed
DominicaAllowed
Dominican RepublicAllowed
EcuadorAllowed
EgyptAllowed
El SalvadorAllowed
Equatorial GuineaAllowed
EritreaAllowed
EstoniaBanned
EswatiniAllowed
EthiopiaAllowed
FijiAllowed
FinlandBanned
FranceBanned
GabonAllowed
GambiaAllowed
GeorgiaAllowed
GermanyBanned
GhanaAllowed
GreeceBanned
GrenadaAllowed
GuatemalaAllowed
GuineaAllowed
Guinea-BissauAllowed
GuyanaAllowed
HaitiAllowed
HondurasAllowed
HungaryBanned
IcelandAllowed
IndiaBanned
IndonesiaRestricted
IranAllowed
IraqAllowed
IrelandBanned
IsraelAllowed
ItalyBanned
JamaicaAllowed
JapanAllowed
JordanAllowed
KazakhstanAllowed
KenyaAllowed
KiribatiAllowed
KuwaitAllowed
KyrgyzstanAllowed
LaosAllowed
LatviaBanned
LebanonAllowed
LesothoAllowed
LiberiaAllowed
LibyaAllowed
LiechtensteinAllowed
LithuaniaBanned
LuxembourgBanned
MadagascarAllowed
MalawiAllowed
MalaysiaRestricted
MaldivesAllowed
MaliAllowed
MaltaBanned
Marshall IslandsAllowed
MauritaniaAllowed
MauritiusAllowed
MexicoRestricted
MicronesiaAllowed
MoldovaAllowed
MonacoAllowed
MongoliaAllowed
MontenegroAllowed
MoroccoAllowed
MozambiqueAllowed
Myanmar (Burma)Allowed
NamibiaAllowed
NauruAllowed
NepalAllowed
NetherlandsBanned
New ZealandBanned
NicaraguaAllowed
NigerAllowed
NigeriaAllowed
North KoreaAllowed
North MacedoniaAllowed
NorwayAllowed
OmanAllowed
PakistanAllowed
PalauAllowed
Palestinian TerritoriesAllowed
PanamaAllowed
Papua New GuineaAllowed
ParaguayAllowed
PeruBanned
PhilippinesBanned
PolandBanned
PortugalBanned
QatarAllowed
RomaniaBanned
RussiaAllowed
RwandaAllowed
SamoaAllowed
San MarinoAllowed
Saudi ArabiaAllowed
SenegalAllowed
SerbiaAllowed
SeychellesAllowed
Sierra LeoneAllowed
SingaporeAllowed
SlovakiaBanned
SloveniaBanned
Solomon IslandsAllowed
SomaliaAllowed
South AfricaRestricted
South KoreaAllowed
South SudanAllowed
SpainBanned
Sri LankaAllowed
St. Kitts & NevisAllowed
St. LuciaAllowed
St. Vincent & GrenadinesAllowed
SudanAllowed
SurinameAllowed
SwedenBanned
SwitzerlandAllowed
SyriaAllowed
São Tomé & PríncipeAllowed
TajikistanAllowed
TanzaniaAllowed
ThailandRestricted
Timor-LesteAllowed
TogoAllowed
TongaAllowed
Trinidad & TobagoAllowed
TunisiaAllowed
TurkmenistanAllowed
TuvaluAllowed
TürkiyeAllowed
UgandaAllowed
UkraineAllowed
United Arab EmiratesAllowed
United KingdomBanned
United StatesRestricted
UruguayAllowed
UzbekistanAllowed
VanuatuAllowed
Vatican CityAllowed
VenezuelaAllowed
VietnamAllowed
YemenAllowed
ZambiaAllowed
ZimbabweAllowed
Sources
Red means a national law in force in October 2026 that bans selling or importing whale meat for everyone, apart from research permits. Amber means it is banned with a carve-out (Indigenous sales in the US and Canada), a permit route, or only for some species. Japan, Norway, Iceland and South Korea allow it. Territories like Greenland and the Faroe Islands are not rated.
- Habitats Directive 92/43; UK CHSR 2017: EU Art 12(2) sale ban + Annex IV(a) all Cetacea (amended Jun 2025, wolf only); UK reg 43(3) (legislation.gov.uk, current to 15 Oct 2026)
- NOAA MMPA comparability findings, Aug 2025: Statute texts for the Philippines, Peru, Mexico, India, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Africa
- National statutes, 2025-26 texts: China Wildlife Protection Law arts 28/31; Australia EPBC + F2017L00349; Chile Ley 20.293; US NOAA Alaska (Jan 2025); Canada SOR/93-56 s13 (Sep 2026)
Each country in the lists names the source for its rule; countries not listed had no qualifying national law in these sources. Laws as of October 2026. We map the law on the books, not how well it is enforced.
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