Slaughter at Sea

Cruise lines are poised to abandon the Faroe Islands as a port of call following the horrific mass whale slaughter of pilot whales which has taken place there.

Both Hapag-Lloyd and Aida, two of Germany’s largest Cruise companies have announced plans to boycott the popular destination in protest against the bloody massacre. They are in the process of looking at alternate destinations to replace this port of call such as Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands.

This would be a great shame as the Faroe Islands have a stark tranquil beauty, an ancient an traditional way of life and an abundance of wildlife that many visitors flock to see.

Shocking pictures hit the media showing the sea turn red with blood last week following the gruesome hunting of 61 pilot whales known locally as the Grindadráp. The footage caused worldwide outcry from animal lovers and conservation groups alike.

Some may find this footage disturbing.

The Faroe Islanders have been carrying out the Traditional annual hunt for hundreds of years, and although whaling is illegal in Denmark, it is allowed in the Faroe Islands. They justify the slaughter as they say the Meat is used for food and for use in other products so nothing goes to waste.

The Faroe Island authorities defended the right to hunt whales because it is “sustainable and regulated, communal and natural”.

According to Whale and Dolpin conservation hundreds of Pilot whales, Bottle nosed Dolphins and White sided Dolphins are killed in this way in the Faroes each year.

I don’t know what it is about these magnificent creatures that stirs something within the heart of most people. I think it is because Whales and Dolphins have a high level of intelligence which makes them some of the closet species to man on the planet.

I for one think the practice should be banned.  What do you think?

Should more cruise lines follow suit and condemn the practice?  This would certainly have a huge impact on the Denmark owned territory, which depends on tourism revenue to survive due to its isolated location.

Captain Alex Cornelissen, CEO of the Netherlands-based charity Sea Shepherd Global said

“I congratulate AIDA and Hapag-Lloyd for standing-up against this cruel and unnecessary slaughter.”

Negar Etminan, of Hapag-Lloyd, said in an email to Sea Shepherd: “We have already reduced the amount of port calls to the Faroe Islands. There is only one call of port scheduled for the Faroe Islands next year.

“We will refrain from further calls of port to the Faroe Islands for now and are currently checking possible alternatives for the scheduled itinerary next year.”

Sadly activists from Sea Shepherd were arrested and convicted for trying to stop the slaughter, receiving punishments from fines of £3180 to prison sentences of 14 days.  Sea Shepherd itself was also fined £7070 for its role in the disruption.

Just because it is something which has been traditional and carried out for hundreds of years does not make it right.

Perhaps if more cruise lines boycott the destination the Government will do something about imposing a ban so that everyone can again enjoy these islands.

I would love to hear your comments on this whether for or against the practice.