Whale hunting – The yearly story of Faroe Islands

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Whale hunting – The yearly story of Faroe Islands Recently whale hunting at Faroe Islands and the related protest got hype but there are many known facts that one is unaware of. The yearly slaughtering of the mammals that is assumed to be dolphins but in reality they are long-finned pilot whales that are hunted. This whale hunting is called grindadráp in Faroese which started around 1200 years ago and today it is an integral part of Faroese social culture.

Those with less knowledge about Faroese, agree that it is inhumane act that should be banned.

The pictures on different social media platforms and other websites are horrific and shocking adding further to the concern. The genocide has turned the sea into blood red and it is quite pain at heart to watch the creatures dead on the sea shore.

What one doesn’t know about whaling at Faroe Islands is that it is their alternative food source.

The rugged terrain is not suitable for agriculture so whale meat becomes largest part of food source especially to survive through winter season, when they have no other option food choice. Whaling is not for commercial purposes to earn money. The meat and blubber from whale hunt is prepared and stored in Faroese households only. Moreover not all bays are certified for grindadráp. Slaughter takes place on certified beaches only.

Yet there are many argumentative reviews about whale hunting. It is believed that killing whales is an unethical act and several international and special interest groups raise their voices for hunting whales. But whale meat tends to be the only food option they got for survival. If we are questioning the Faroese then we should also not be killing chicken, goats, cows and other animals to eat meat. Those who are concern with the method of hunting whales at Faroe Islands and the suffering that those mammals go through, then they might not be aware of the fact that there are laws enforced at each hunting stage. The pilot whales are hunted close to the shore and killed by hands. Cut to their spinal cord, through an artery ensures death within half a minute. Whale’s blood gushes into the water making the water bloody red.

The pros and cons are there, but we should be aware of the real facts before we protest. The methods of whale hunting have modernized causing less pain to whales. The hunting is done only for local consumption also equates the debate since it has nothing to do with commercial gains.

www.researchomatic.com/Hunting-Whales-42597.html