Reuters reports that activists from the group Anonymous have launched a campaign targeting Iceland’s institutions in response to the country’s continued fin whaling campaigns. The group has already taken down the official page of Iceland’s prime minister, as well as the sites of the environment and interior ministries. They are encouraging people to join the campaign, using the hashtag #OpWhales.

Transcript of the Anonymous statement:

“Greetings citizens of the world, we are Anonymous.

We at Operation KillingBay have been watching Iceland for some time. They continue to slaughter an endangered species for commercial gain. Now is the time to act. We bring you #OpWhales.

The fin whale is the second largest species on the planet – a giant at more than 20 metres in length but able to swim at speeds in excess of 35km per hour. This amazing animal is an endangered species. For 30 years its numbers have never recovered from mass slaughter despite an international ban on hunting them.

Iceland’s escalating whale hunts are clear and wilful abuses of the IWC’s moratorium, as well as the ban on international commercial trade in whale products. Selling to Japan to fulfil the seemingly insatiable need for whale products. It has even been reported as being made into dog treats.

Since 2006, the Icelandic whaling company Hvalur hf has killed more than, 500 fin whales for export to Japan, earning an estimated $50 million. Using explosive harpoons, these animals die a slow lingering death.

This is on a par with rhino and elephant poaching. Iceland has been quietly escalating the hunting of endangered fin whales.

We are Disgusted. Its time to make this atrocity known, just as Taiji is now known world wide for cruel slaughter of dolphins.

Whales do not have a voice. We will be a voice for them.

Its time to speak out about this impending extinction of a species. Its time to let Iceland know we will not stand by and watch as they drive this animal to extinction.

For those of you listening to this message, join #OpWhales. Your voice is a powerful tool, use it to enlighten the world about the devastation Iceland are doing to the ocean. Its time to expose the cruelty behind Iceland whaling industry. Boycott all Icelandic products. Contact your government representatives, tell them to speak against Iceland.

Brothers and sisters of anonymous. We ask that you stand along side us in targeting Iceland. Join our tweet storms to spread awareness. Join us in combined attacks on Web sites and databases, hacking, leaking and deleting as we go.

We are anonymous. We do what we do because we want to. We do what we do because we can.

Iceland you really should have Expected Us