Faroe Islands Cove Runs Red as Hundreds of Dolphins and Whales Killed in Controversial Summer Hunt

A Faroe Islands cove is today awash with the blood of dolphins and pilot whales after the first animals of the summer were butchered in a gruesome Viking tradition

The cove at Leynar, Streymoy, was left soaked in blood as the first grindadrap of the summer saw the slaughter of around 200 pilot whales in a centuries-old Faroese tradition that continues to draw international condemnation.

Known locally as the grind, the 1,000-year-old practice involves herding pods of long-finned pilot whales and dolphins into shallow coastal waters using fishing boats. Once the animals are forced ashore, hunters kill them with knives while crowds, including children, gather to watch. The meat and blubber are then distributed among the community.

The 'grindadrap', or 'grind' for short, is a 1,000-year-old Faroese custom which sees hunters encircle the animals with their fishing boats in order to drive them into a shallow bay

Volunteers from the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK, who monitored the hunt, described the event as a "disturbing scene in a high-income nation" and reported a notable number of children in attendance. The call to gather was reportedly made as schools let out, with some parents bringing their children directly from the classroom to witness the event.

Some of the animals, according to observers, were left struggling on rocks, and due to the sheer number of whales, women joined in the dragging and killing process. "When children are taught to watch instead of protect, the cycle of violence continues unchecked. This isn't tradition—it's desensitisation," said Rob Read of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation. “We must break the chain.”

The terrified animals are then beached, allowing fishermen to brutally slaughter them with knives on the shore, with locals then feasting on their meat and blubber

The mass slaughter took place on the same day that King Frederik X, Queen Mary, and Princess Josephine of Denmark arrived in the Faroe Islands for an official royal visit, participating in ceremonial events in Tórshavn and Koltur. “The juxtaposition is stark,” the foundation noted, pointing to the contrast between traditional royal festivities and a violent marine massacre aided by modern boats and tools.

On average, about 700 pilot whales are killed annually during the grindadrap, alongside varying numbers of Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Female pilot whales can live up to 60 years, and males up to 45. As cetaceans, they play a critical role in the marine ecosystem, contributing to ocean health and biodiversity.

The practice today is believed to have seen around 200 pilot whales killed

Environmental and animal welfare activists have long campaigned to end the grind, arguing that the slaughter is unnecessary and cruel in a developed society. They also claim that excess meat and blubber from the hunt are now often sold, undermining the claim that the tradition is purely for community sustenance.

While the hunt has been regulated by Faroese authorities since 1948—requiring training, police supervision, and the use of modern communication tools—critics argue that regulation does not justify the continued killing of intelligent marine mammals. The practice, which dates back to the ninth century, is defended by many Faroe Islanders as a vital cultural tradition and a source of free local food.

Each year, an average of around 700 long-finned pilot whales are caught, alongside varying numbers of Atlantic white-sided dolphins

The Faroe Islands, an autonomous archipelago within the Kingdom of Denmark, are located in the North Atlantic between Norway and Iceland. As the debate intensifies between heritage and conservation, global attention continues to mount on the islands’ controversial hunting practices.

The call to the slaughter went out just as school ended, with parents apparently bringing their offspring to watch after lessons