World Horrified As Faroe Islanders Slaughter 1,500 Dolphins

Over the weekend, 1,428 dolphins were slaughtered in the Faroe Islands as part of the latest “grindadráp” hunt — a Faroese tradition of dolphin drive hunting in which dolphins are herded towards land by motorboats, before then being killed by whalers on the shore.

Photo Insert: Not just dolphins. Some of the 70 long-finned pilot whales killed in the Hvannasund grindadráp of 5th July 2017.

Marine conservationists Sea Shepherd are calling the event the largest single hunt of dolphins or pilot whales in Faroese history. The next largest was in 1940 when 1,200 pilot whales were killed, Parisa Hasgempour reported for EuroNews.

“It is possibly the largest single hunt of cetaceans ever recorded worldwide,” the organization added in a statement released today, after sharing footage of the killing which took place 40 kilometers into Danish water.

There has been much debate over whether the Indigenous hunting event is a “horrific” act of cruelty or an important cultural practice providing islanders with a sense of Faroese identity and community, as well as meat for food.

Though grindadráp often makes headlines for images of blood-red seas, people shouting, and animals thrashing, those who uphold the hunt maintain it is a community-based activity that is rooted in tradition dating back to the 16th century. Until now, this has enabled the Faroe Islands to avoid legal repercussions.

Meat is intended to feed local families, however, in the case of the present slaughter, it is likely that there will be too much to feed the 53,000 island inhabitants - meaning a large portion could be wasted.

PETA has long argued the consumption of whale meat on the island as a “tradition” is long gone, with only 17 percent of islanders saying they consume pilot whale meat and blubber regularly.

“The hunt these days is far from the traditional subsistence hunt of previous centuries,” Rob Read, COO of Sea Shepherd, tells Euronews Green. “The grindadráp now takes place with high-powered boats and Jet Skis, and is little more than a sport masquerading as tradition.

“The meat is not needed by the wealthy Faroese community, and the hunting method is totally indiscriminate, killing every member of the pod.”

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