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Faroe Islands · Active Operation

Entire Pods
Slaughtered

In 2025 alone, more than 1,000 pilot whales and white-sided dolphins were killed. Sea Shepherd has worked to end the grindadráp since 1983.

*Pilot whale count self-reported by Faroese whalers. All other figures from Sea Shepherd field documentation.

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Faroe Islands: Entire Pods Killed in the Shallows

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There’s no ‘tradition’ that justifies this slaughter.

Pilot whales and white-sided dolphins are still being killed in the Faroe Islands under the guise of tradition — a practice Sea Shepherd has directly challenged with a physical presence in the islands since the 1980s.

Today, Sea Shepherd continues to document each hunt, challenge complacency, and push for lasting change.

Inside the Grindadráp

Sea Shepherd teams document the full scope of the hunt — from the chase to the killing beach, the butchering, and the aftermath.

For centuries, the Grindadráp has cast a dark shadow over the Faroe Islands.

Entire pods of whales and dolphins are driven ashore and slaughtered in the name of “tradition.” But the world is watching. This brutal practice — still protected by cultural defenses — is now widely condemned for its cruelty and environmental harm.

In 2025 alone, more than 1,000 pilot whales and white-sided dolphins were killed across 10 separate grinds, including at least 173 juveniles and fetuses. The killing has continued into 2026.

Sea Shepherd documentation of the Faroese grindadráp

Sea Shepherd has actively opposed the Grind since 1983. Alongside a coalition of dedicated groups, we’ve fought to end this senseless slaughter — through direct action and international advocacy, exposing the brutality of these hunts and pushing for stronger accountability, particularly within the EU.

Our global alliance of conservationists and supporters continues to challenge this outdated tradition. Your support gives us the power to take a stand and defend these animals when no one else will.

Together, we will #StopTheGrind.

The Evidence

Documentation from the field

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Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Stop the Grind

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