September 7, 2024 | Faroe Islands
Sea Shepherd Condemns the Slaughter of 130 Dolphins in the Faroe Islands: A Tradition of Cruelty Must End
Today, 130 white-sided dolphins, including very young calves, were slaughtered in the Faroe Islands as part of the brutal Grindadrap, or “Grind.” This centuries-old practice involves herding entire pods of dolphins and whales into shallow bays where they are mercilessly killed. The screams of the dolphins, separated from their families and thrashing in fear, filled the air as young calves were cut down alongside their mothers.
Sea Shepherd was on the ground, documenting the horror and bearing witness to the suffering of these sentient creatures. For years, we have opposed this cruel practice, not just at the killing sites but through tireless policy work to push for an end to these hunts.
What is the Grindadrap?
The Grindadrap, a deeply ingrained tradition in the Faroe Islands, involves driving dolphins and whales to shore where they are killed en masse. Today’s slaughter of 130 dolphins, including juveniles, is yet another reminder of how this practice disregards the welfare of these animals. While the Grind was historically a matter of survival for the Faroese, today it is an unnecessary and violent relic of the past.
Sea Shepherd has long called attention to the fact that these hunts are not only barbaric but largely unregulated. There are no caps on the number of dolphins or whales that can be killed, and the methods used are unspeakably cruel. Entire pods, from the oldest to the youngest, are wiped out in a single hunt, with no regard for age or family bonds.
On the Ground and in Policy
We were there today, documenting the senseless slaughter, as we have been at countless other hunts. But Sea Shepherd’s work doesn’t stop at the bloodied shores. We are engaged in policy efforts, challenging the legal loopholes that allow these hunts to continue and demanding international pressure on the Faroe Islands to stop the killing.
A Call for Change
For our supporters in the U.S., where marine mammal protections are strong and commercial whaling has long been banned, the Grindadrap may seem incomprehensible. But in the Faroe Islands, this outdated practice continues. Sea Shepherd has worked for years to expose the reality of the Grind and push for global action to stop it.
Today’s slaughter of 130 dolphins is a tragic reminder that the fight is far from over. The suffering of these animals, especially the young dolphins who died terrified and alone, cannot be justified by tradition. Sea Shepherd remains on the front lines, both in the field and in the policy arena, and we will continue to fight until these senseless killings come to an end.
Images featured in this article taken by Youenn Kerdavid
