During this time , the United States was involved in diplomatic negotiations with whaling nations such as Iceland and Japan . However , the U.S. was considered to be responsible for whaling troubles by many Icelanders . In October 1986 , President Ronald Reagan was booed during the " Superpower Summit " and some lobbied against the American air base at Keflavik . It was argued that the U.S. and the IWC had no standing to interfere with Iceland 's sovereignty regarding whale research . Despite the diplomatic tension , U.S. negotiators struck an agreement that would allow Iceland to take 20 sei whales , without the threat of U.S. sanctions ( '' under the Pelly Amendment to the US Fishermen 's Protection Act the U.S. President could establish an embargo against Iceland 's fisheries '' ) . Iceland was required to submit a full research proposal in 1988 . Japan also agreed not to purchase whale meat from Iceland to secure fishing rights in Alaskan waters
Superpower Summit
Reykjavík Summit
Whaling in Iceland