Iceland maintains local stocks are high enough to permit some hunting, despite the endangered status of the fin.
"The total stock size of central and north Atlantic minke whales is close to 70,000 animals, of which around 43,600 are in Icelandic coastal waters," said the government's statement.
"The number of fin whales in the [area] is estimated at around 25,800 animals.
"The catches are clearly sustainable and therefore consistent with the principle of sustainable development."
With 6.5 billion humans on the planet, seems like catches of a few million humans a year would be sustainable, especially as humans aren't endangered. Commercial export of the products might be contentious, however.