Iceland and the Faroe Islands: Europe’s Last Bastions of Cetacean Slaughter

The fight to protect marine mammals from brutal hunting practices continues across Europe. Iceland and the Faroe Islands, two regions steeped in whaling and cetacean hunting traditions, have come under international scrutiny as their actions stand in stark contrast to global conservation efforts.

Iceland’s Whaling Crisis

Iceland’s last remaining whaling company, Hvalur hf., has faced growing criticism after resuming fin whale hunting. Despite public outcry and reports of unnecessary suffering during hunts, Iceland has been reluctant to permanently revoke the company’s license. Animal welfare advocates argue that the hunting methods—using explosive harpoons—are inhumane, causing prolonged agony for the whales.

Environmental groups, including Sea Shepherd, are calling on Iceland’s President to take a stand. With the global fin whale population struggling to recover from decades of overhunting, this is not just an Icelandic issue—it’s a matter of preserving biodiversity for future generations.

The Grindadrap: A Tradition Under Fire

While Iceland grapples with whaling, the Faroe Islands persist with the Grindadrap, an annual hunt that targets pilot whales and white-sided dolphins. In 2024, nearly 750 cetaceans were slaughtered, including calves barely weaned from their mothers. The hunts are framed as cultural tradition, yet their necessity is increasingly questioned as the global movement against animal cruelty grows louder.

Sea Shepherd has been on the front lines documenting and exposing the Grindadrap for decades. Our team’s footage of these hunts has sparked international outrage, shining a light on the brutal methods used to corral and kill these intelligent, social animals.

Why These Hunts Continue

Both Iceland and the Faroe Islands argue that their practices are cultural traditions. Yet, as global conservation efforts advance and marine ecosystems face mounting threats from pollution and overfishing, such justifications lose credibility. The international community has a moral obligation to question and challenge these practices.

This article was first published by Sea Shepherd on 20 November 2024. Lead Image: On average, nearly a thousand whales and dolphins are needlessly slaughtered in the Faroe Islands.

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