Faroe Islands to set quota of 500 dolphins to be killed in controversial whale hunt
The government of the Faroe Islands is proposing a catch limit of 500 dolphins for the territory's annual whale hunt this year.
The move comes after last year’s pursuit saw more than 1,400 animals slaughtered in one day during the Faroese centuries-old traditional hunt, the Faroese government announced in news release this week.
Grindadrap, also known as the Grind, is an annual hunt that takes place on the remote North Atlantic islands halfway between Iceland and Scotland.
This week, the government announced in the release that the capping measure was “in response to the unusually large catch” on Sept. 14, 2021.
Warning: Graphic photo below
The government is proposing an annual catch limit of 500 white-sided dolphins for both 2022 and 2023. The proposal is expected to be implemented as an executive order by July 25, according to the release.
Last year's slaughter led to international condemnation.
During the hunt, sea mammals are lured into shallow water where they are killed for their meat and blubber. The hunt is not commercial and is approved by the local government, but environmental activists claim it is cruel.
Supporters, including the Faroese government, say it is part of their cultural identity and the meat from the hunt provides valuable food for local communities.
"Catches of small whales are an important supplement to the livelihoods of Faroe Islanders, who have for centuries relied on the sustainable use of marine resources for their economy and local food security," the government's release reads. "The meat and blubber from each whale drive provide valuable food with a low carbon footprint, which is distributed for free in the different communities where the catches take place."
'Horrible situation': Mexican police haul off 200 big cats, other animals in sanctuary raid
South Carolina CEO charged: Dozens of dead dogs, cats found inside animal rescue CEO's home, officials say
Animal rights and conservation organizations have long called for an end to Grindadrap.
Local media have reported that there were too many dolphins and too few people on the beach to slaughter them, sparking fear the slaughter would revive the discussion about the sea mammal drives and put a negative spin on the ancient tradition of the 18 rocky islands. The Faeroe Islands are semi-independent and part of the Danish realm.
Islanders usually kill up to 1,000 sea mammals – chiefly pilot whales – annually, according to data kept by the Faeroe Islands. In 2020, that included only 35 white-sided dolphins. White-sided dolphins and pilot whales are not endangered species.
Contributing: The Associated Press. Natalie Neysa Alund covers trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolphin hunt in Faroe Islands will kill 500 animals after 2021 kill
