Japan and Iceland already have the potential to replace unprofitable whaling operations with the growing business of whale watching according to a new analysis by sustainable tourism experts in Japan, Iceland and Australia.

In a paper recently published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, the authors argue whale watching is a “booming industry” in Japan and Iceland, ironically co-existing with subsidised whale hunting operations.

The Australia-based member of the research team, UTS’s Associate Professor Stephen Wearing, said there was evidence to support a transition from hunting to viewing that would be “a way out for everybody” – both in terms of economics and national pride.