Greenpeace Fish Boycott Escalates

ANN ARBOR- On March 25 Greenpeace, in conjunction with whale protection groups in over 1 00 cities nationwide, held a protest against Icelandic whaling at the Burger King at 520 E. Liberty. Greenpeace et al. are calling on Burger King and others to halt their use of Icelandic fish due to Iceland's continuing slaughter of fin and sei whales.

The Greenpeace boycott of Icelandic fish began in February 1988, and since then over 130 demonstrations have been held prior to this event. More than 300,000 signatures have been gathered petitioning the chiefs of major restaurant chains buying Icelandic fish. In March 1988, the Shoney's ration announced its intention to stop this practice. Burger King and Wendy's have reduced their use of Icelandic fish. In October 1988, Jerrico Corporation, the parent company of Long John Silver's, announced that they had cancelled a $9 million order with Samband, Iceland's largest fish supplier.

According to the leading newspaper in Iceland, Morgunbladid, losses of $50 million to the fishing industry from U.S. and West German markets have triggered a thaw in Icelandic popular opinion on the whaling issue. There are currently two resolutions pending in the Icelandic Parliament calling for at least a three year halt to whaling.