12 January 2026

• Harpooned: The Great Whale Betrayal documentary provides insight into the inhumane minke whaling still being carried out in Norway
• Footage shows whaling practices up close, revealing the secrets behind a practice that kills around 500 whales every year
• Arksen & 10% for the Ocean to support campaign for change with promotional events and screenings

A new documentary film that aims to shed light on Norwegian whaling practices that are depleting the ocean’s minke whale population has been released by the Endangered Species Protection Agency (ESPA), supported by Arksen and 10% for the Ocean.

Harpooned: The Great Wale Betrayal dramatically contrasts the interactions between tourists and environmental scientists and minke whales in the UK with hard-to-watch scenes from Norwegian waters, where whales are shown being shot by grenade-tipped harpoons and suffering on lines before being gutted onboard the vessels.

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) banned commercial whaling in 1986 but Norway is one of three nations – alongside Iceland and Japan – that object to it and the nation has the highest kill total of all, despite a decreasing market for the meat and an increasing national opposition to the practice.

Close up, it's a hideous thing to witness and there's an obvious question: why is this happening? I do believe a ban on commercial whaling in Norwegian waters is achievable and the way to achieve that is through education, which is something we do very well. That is why we made this film, in follow-up to our award-winning Whale Wash documentary. All range states are stakeholders in the North Atlantic minke whale population, so all the governments need to raise this issue. It's the voting populace who will create the effect. If they start questioning it, I am sure we will see a change.

Peter Carr Director of Investigations and COO at ESPA

Whaling has been a tradition in Norway for generations and despite global opposition the practice remains fully legal, with a regular fleet of fishing trawlers converting to whaling boats every season. However, less than two percent of the nation’s population regularly eats whale meat and until recently most ended up in pet food.

The new documentary film is a follow-up to ESPA’s ground-breaking Whale Wash expose, which won Best Environmental Film at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025 and resulted in a ban on the use of whale meat in pet food. That latest production will help to educate more people about the industry.

Arksen will support ESPA’s film through its charity 10% for the Ocean. The purpose-led adventure brand, which advocates for the protection of marine life and responsible exploration, was a co-producer on the landmark feature film Ocean with David Attenborough released earlier this year.

This is such a powerful and moving film and I have no doubt it will resonate deeply with many people, as it did with me. We are delighted to help share the film in the hope that it can inspire awareness and change; to protect the lives that inhabit the oceans connecting everyone on the planet.

Carolina Manhusen CEO at 10% for the Ocean