Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Another Bloody Slaughter of Whales

Waters of the Faroe Islands Run Red With Another Horrific Grind

For the second time this season, the waters of the Faroe Islands are red with the blood of slaughtered pilot whales, killed in the infamous drive hunt known by the Faroese term “grindadráp” or “grind.”

The pod was spotted at approximately 8:30 local time June 29. The pilot whales were then driven to Hvannasund in the north of the island archipelago, where they were eventually slaughtered.

Sea Shepherd estimates that between 20 and 30 pilot whales were killed in the slaughter.

The Sea Shepherd ship Brigitte Bardot was patrolling approximately 25 nautical miles to the south but quickly raced to the site where the whales were spotted. However, the vessel was unable to proceed through the entrance of the fjord, which was being guarded by the Danish Navy vessel Triton.

Operation Sleppid Grindini Land Team Leader, Rosie Kunneke of South Africa said, “Another harrowing, bloody massacre has been allowed to occur, under the protection of the increasing police state in the Faroe Islands. While authorities ramp up grind laws and penalties, which require even those visiting the islands to partake in this brutal slaughter, Sea Shepherd remains on watch. We will not let the screams of these magnificent, slaughtered animals go unheard.””

According to Faroese laws that govern the grindadráp, any person visiting the islands must report all sightings of whales and dolphins to local authorities so that the cetaceans can be targeted for slaughter. Those who do not abide by these laws may face arrest and prosecution, with penalties of 25,000 Faroese króna (just over 3,000 euros) and imprisonment of two years.

Sea Shepherd Founder and senior strategic advisor for Sea Shepherd USA, Captain Paul Watson said, “The blood of socially complex and sentient pilot whales has once again been spilled in the waters of the Ferocious Isles. The Faroes are not only continuing the archaic and senseless bloodbath known as the grind, but rushing to pass laws to defend this slaughter of cetaceans from any interference – even forcing visitors to the Faroe Islands to participate by alerting authorities that pods have been spotted.”

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First published by Sea Shepherd.

Another bloody slaughter in the name of tradition in the Faroe Islands. Photo: Sea Shepherd/Rosie Kunneke