The Bloodsport in the Faroe Islands
“Harpooners!” The word probably doesn’t ring a bell in modern society. If we seek the reason why these harpoon tales have been banished, we find a haunting answer: those were the tales of the whalers, who belonged to one of the most notorious animal-killing industries ever to exist, whaling.
Humans are the most dominant species on planet Earth. As we evolved as an omnivorous species, we began to consume some animals to fulfill one of our basic nutritional needs: protein. As a result, we became accustomed to breeding certain species of animals on farms, such as chicken, cow, pig, sheep, and fish. So, it’s clear that we already kill around six to seven species of animals to fulfill our nutritional needs. But why more animals? Why whales? Whaling was a huge industry aimed at harvesting whale oil and meat. It's important to note that while commercial whaling was banned under the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) moratorium in 1986 due to the overexploitation of whale stocks, not all countries agreed to the ban. Countries like Japan, Norway, and Iceland continue whaling under various exemptions or objections to the IWC ban. The Faroe Islands, however, are not members of the IWC and therefore are not bound by its regulations, allowing them to continue a practice considered by some to be a form of bloodsport and an iconic tradition.
The Faroe Islands, a group of 18 islands with mesmerizing landscapes and stunning coastal views, also serve as a killing ground and open hell for the pilot whale population. Nearly every year, usually during the months of July and August, several hundred whales are killed for their meat and blubber by the inhabitants. This Faroese whale hunt is termed "The Grind" by the locals.
The Grind is more than 1,200 years old, dating back to the first settlement of the islands by Vikings around 800 CE. It is a testament to the hunt’s traditional character that the methods used to trap and kill the animals have changed little since the time of the Vikings. When a pod of pilot whales is sighted near the islands or in the channels between them, the men of the local district typically take to their boats to intercept the animals, forming a large semicircle between them and the open sea. By making loud noises that frighten the whales, the hunters gradually herd them into a small bay or inlet, where they beach themselves or become trapped in the shallow water. There, they are slaughtered with traditional knives whose blades are usually 16 to 19 cm (6.3 to 7.5 inches) long. Typically, two deep cuts are made on either side of the animal’s neck, just behind the blowhole, causing the head to drop forward. A third cut is then made through the middle of the neck down to the carotid arteries and spinal cord, which are severed. After a period of violent thrashing, the animal is paralyzed, loses consciousness, and dies of blood loss in most cases.
The whales that do not beach themselves or swim into water shallow enough for the hunters to stand in are dragged to shore, often by means of ropes attached to steel hooks that have been plunged into their sides, usually in the area of the head or neck. Because the animals are moving and because their skin is smooth, they often must be stabbed several times before the hooks become secure in their bodies.
The dead animals are lined up on wharves and butchered by hunters and the families of the district. Each hunter and family is entitled to an equal portion of the meat and blubber. Although the hunt is officially non-commercial, occasionally some portions are sold to local restaurants and hotels.
There are a number of documentaries that have been made regarding this practice, with sensitive footage that may be difficult for naturalists to witness. It’s clear that this act is largely traditional, but it does serve as a source of food for the inhabitants. The question we must raise here is this: as intellectual beings, should we continue an act of animal torture simply for the sake of tradition? Isn’t it our responsibility to protect life, help maintain balance, and act justly toward nature?
đ Yasandu Senaviratne
1st year (22/23 batch)
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