On January 10th, the Faroese whalers carried out the first grind of 2025 in Árnafjarðarvík, where 47 pilot whales were slaughtered, including an unknown number of pregnant whales and young calves.
This unseasonable practice—occurring in the heart of winter—marks a disturbing shift in the timing and frequency of these hunts, which are already steeped in controversy for their cruelty and ecological impact.
In this instance, the whales were held overnight by the whalers as it had gotten too dark to carry out the hunt and slaughter. Normally a situation like this gives the pilot whales a chance of escaping the fjords during the night, but instead the whalers tested night goggles and stayed with the pilot whales all night to prevent them from swimming away.
The next morning at 9.30 they were herded and cornered near the kill beach, and slaughtered at a convenient time for those participating. In so many ways these actions display the modern privilege, ease and casual disregard for these animals.
Pilot whales are highly sentient beings, capable of forming complex social bonds and showing clear signs of distress in situations of confinement and danger. The trauma of being forcibly driven to shore, separated from family groups, and awaiting slaughter underscores the unimaginable suffering inflicted upon them. For species like pilot whales, which rely on strong familial connections, these hunts destroy more than just individuals—they tear apart entire social structures.
A Call for Change
The continued existence of the grind reflects a tradition that fails to account for the undeniable intelligence and sentience of these marine mammals. Pilot whales, like many cetaceans, display behaviors indicative of grief, cooperation, and emotional connection. Their slaughter is not only inhumane but also a profound loss for marine ecosystems that depend on these species for balance.
Sea Shepherd has long opposed these hunts, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to ending the grind entirely. Its continuation poses a serious ethical and ecological concern, harming both marine ecosystems and the global efforts to protect sentient marine life.
The protection of these animals is ultimately in the hands of the Faroese people. We urge them to consider the ethical and ecological implications of this tradition and take steps to bring it to an end.
This article was first published by Sea Shepherd on 15 January 2025. Whales killed with spinal lances and bled out are hauled onto the blacktop in Hvannasund, 2024. This grim process underscores the brutality of the grind.
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