One of 120 pilot whales killed on June 5, 2012 in Sandoy

I have just recently returned from another visit to the Faroe Islands, where I was attending an international conference hosted by the Nordic Committee on Bioethics, called, Hunting and Protecting of Marine Mammals—A Clash of Cultures? The focus of this conference centered on the merits of continuing the controversial pilot whale hunt, or Grindadrap in the Faroe Islands. There were representatives there from Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Greenland and more.

A key presentation came from Dr. Pal Weihe of the Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health and the Faroese Hospital System. Dr. Weihe admonished the attendees on the dangerous levels of contaminants present in pilot whale meat and blubber, including methyl mercury, PCBs, POPs, DDT and other toxins. His presentation focused on the negative and cumulative effects of ingesting such toxins, most disturbingly resulting in demonstrated birth deficits in infants and lasting developmental problems in Faroese children.

Dr. Weihe presenting at the conference

Dr. Weihe’s warnings are not new, he’s been an outspoken presence in the Faroe Islands about the health problems inherent in consuming whale meat for some time, but these warnings have taken on a new urgency. Where previously, Dr. Weihe had simply advised the Faroese people limit their intake of whale meat to one meal per month (excluding children under the age of 14, pregnant/nursing mothers and any young women intending to become pregnant and also excluding ingestion of whale blubber), he now advises against eating it at all. Whale meat and blubber is too toxic to safely eat.
It’s a powerful argument coming from within the Faroese midst and as the reason stated for continuing the hunt is for food—this serious toxicity would appear to mean the Faroese whale hunt really should be relegated to the history books on the grounds of public health alone.
But those who support the continuation of the Grindadrap, refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of the associated health issues. In speaking with many Faroese about the issue, it seemed that simply stated, many of the men who participate in killing the whales enjoy the challenge of killing such large animals, people like the taste of the meat, the meat is “free” and they don’t like outsiders telling them what to do. Thus this once proud tradition seems to have devolved into a superfluous blood sport to obtain a meat product that Faroese health officials insist is in fact toxic and not really appropriate for human consumption. Yet the more outsiders would aggressively criticize the practice, the more stubbornly the Faroese dig in their heels and avowal to continue the hunt.
One of the items that arose a number of times during the conference challenged the idea that there is anything “special” about cetaceans, in particular, that they possess any kind of elevated intelligence or awareness. This same objection is always raised by those who support whaling, because to acknowledge the truth would leave the whalers to face what activists have been telling them for decades—that they are not just killers, but murderers.

despite efforts, a traumatic death

http://aaas.confex.com/aaas/2012/webprogram/Session4617.html The many papers and publications and evidence are out in the public arena, but it appears pro-whalers are assiduously ignoring the evidence rather than face the very real facts.

Nevertheless, it was most refreshing to have the issues engaged in open dialogue—in true Nordic fashion, so very different from the tendency of officials in Japan to hide all evidence and block or discourage all useful public discussion on the pros and cons of whaling.
In the middle of the second day of the conference, I was unexpectedly informed that a whale hunt, a Grindadrap was just commencing on the neighboring island of Sandoy. After brief consideration, the decision was made to leave the conference and make the journey to Sandoy to document the event, which lay at the center of the entire debate. With two colleagues and the kind accompaniment of a Faroese friend, we set out to the ferry terminal…

Sandur Cove turned red with the blood of whales

By the time we arrived at Sandur strand, Sandoy’s killing cove, the pod of about 120 long finned pilot whales had already been driven ashore and slaughtered; the scarlet stain of their life’s blood emblazoned over the sea. Their bodies were still warm to the touch; their eyes wide open to their last moments, which despite the efforts of the hunters to be as quick and efficient as possible, must have been unbearably chaotic and painful. Baby and juvenile whales lay heaped among the bodies of their mothers and families, all their necks sawn open, the gaping wounds still dripping blood onto the sand. The smell of death was all pervading, smothering the normally fresh clean Faroese sea air.
Other than contemplating the whales’ last moments, a most disturbing thing was the presence of many Faroese children at the scene of such carnage. There, children are encouraged at an early age, to observe the hunt and afterwards, investigate the dead whales, and one might say, acclimatize to what is otherwise an appalling sight, that most parents would assiduously protect their youngsters from viewing. This, some would claim is merely a difference in culture. This aside, it was not merely the presence of children amid the blood, offal and gore, but their BEHAVIOUR that troubled me.

little children amongst the carnage

To be faced with so many large, beautiful, mysterious sea creatures that so recently fought and struggled for life—to see the Faroese children climbing over them, jumping on them, kicking them, peering and poking into the whales gaping wounds, and watching with jovial interest as their bellies were slit open and innards torn out—including fetal placentas—this was extremely troubling. There was no sense of respect for the whales, no sense of thanks for the lives taken and the meat to be received, no sense of the seriousness of lives lost, families wiped out for the Faroese’s free lunch meat. No, the human sense of entitlement was complete–something typically human, rather than specifically Faroese. Yet the whales’ suffering or death was treated as so insignificant as to be beneath anyone’s notice, as their bodies were hoisted, dragged and moved onto the harbor front with huge cranes and machinery.
The Faroese seemed unconcerned about all aspects of the slain whales except for one. It appears every culture draws lines about what it sees as publicly acceptable or shameful… At least ten of the pilot whales were pregnant females and it became apparent that the Faroese did not want the presence or removal of the fetuses documented. Apparently the press generated from past photos of fetal whales lying on the cement beside their mother’s spilling innards and of Faroese children grinning and holding up dead fetuses was too much even for the sensibilities of these islanders.

unborn whale fetus being cut from its mother's womb

To prevent the capture of any further images, now the fetuses were being removed as surreptitiously as possible and quickly stored in a large plastic crate, which was guarded by Faroese women, who refused to meet my gaze. Women, guarding the unsightly, shameful dead whale fetuses. Again, very troubling, this disconnection.

I saw only one Faroese person who appeared to be reacting in what most normal people would call an appropriate way to our bloody surroundings. A little boy of perhaps three or four years of age, who showed signs of what was perhaps autism, (or perhaps the result of his mother ingesting whale meat while pregnant or nursing?). He had his hands clenched over his little ears and was issuing a high, desolate wailing howl which rose above the jocular chatter of the other people. The boy’s mother looked embarrassed and tried to make light of his reaction, but to me, that thin, despairing sound was entirely appropriate to the scene.

baby pilot whale heaped onto the bodies of its family

The sun beat down, the flies settled in droves over the dead whales, and the smell got progressively worse. As an aside, I’m sure what I witnessed would give most health and safety officials in the civilized world a cardiac arrest. Yet the Faroe islanders enjoy one of the highest standards of living in all of Europe.

The flesh of these 120 pilot whales will be shared amongst the 1500 residents of minute Sandoy Island. Yet the roughly 48,000 pounds of meat from the dead whales is enough to feed the eligible adults of the entire NATION, within even conservative current health standards for the next seven or eight months…

120 whales, an entire once-living community--and a massive amount of toxic meat.

One essential thing that needs to be understood is that decades of angry criticism, outcry or attack by foreigners has failed to see an end to the hunting of pilot whales in the Faroe islands. This kind of aggressive pressure does NOT work and simply builds solidarity and support for whaling among a populace that, left to its own devices would be slowly moving away from the outdated practice.

In the wake of the conference, Faroese TV and newspaper featured healthy internal debate amongst islanders about the pros and cons of continuing the hunt.
As outsiders, perhaps what we can most usefully offer are other perspectives of who and what whales are, which may help the Faroese people to see the value in these creatures alive, rather than merely as dead (toxic) meat. It is a positive transition many other coastal communities have already made around the world. Continuing outreach, education, open friendship and useful communication is the way forward here and I look forward to continuing my work in this way.
Video Link:

https://vimeo.com/43991260

Recent interview on Animals Voice Radio:

http://animalvoices.org/2012/06/leah-lemieux-faroe-islands-whale-hunt-activist-profile-erin-red/

Dolphins need our support!

Sad to report, support for the cause to help end the killing of dolphins in Japan is facing a serious low. The drive-slaughter season in Japan is over for the summer, but the fight to see an end to this cruel practise goes on because on September 1st, it all begins again. And throughout the summer whales and small cetaceans are still being harpooned in Japan’s coastal waters.

One Night Only

The good news is we have seen very real and positive progress in Taiji this last season with fewer numbers of dolphins being killed. But to continue these efforts, we need your help! So, we’d like to invite UK dolphin supporters to join us for a special fundraiser screening on Friday May 18th at the Soho Hotel in London.

IN DEFENSE OF DOLPHINS:
TALES OF DARING, ESPIONAGE, INTRIGUE AND CORRUPTION

Dolphins are one of the world’s most popular and sought-after creatures, possessed of a mysterious and compelling allure; this has resulted in increased demand to supply marine parks and ‘swim with dolphins’ attractions opening in many holiday locations, cashing in on human desire for closer contact with these magnificent marine mammals. However, there is a darker side to this ‘experience of a lifetime’ kept secret and hidden from the public; ‘The Cove’ exposes the shadowy international trade in what have come to be known as ‘blood dolphins’ – involving big money and corruption at the highest levels of the marine park industry and government.

Author Leah Lemieux and advocate Tia Butts are part of a team of international experts working to save the lives of thousands of dolphins in Japan and expose the secretive connections to holiday resorts and marine parks around the world who keep these animals in captivity.

Join us for an exclusive screening of ‘The Cove’ and the opportunity to put your questions directly to those involved in helping to expose this atrocity.

Friday 18 May @ 7.00pm – The Soho Hotel, London

Spaces at this screening/event are strictly limited – reservations by email only to liz@marineconnection.org

Event supported by London based dolphin/whale charity Marine Connection

www.marineconnection.org
www.savejapandolphins.org

once you know what's behind the smile, there's no going back...

Reconnect
In order to summon the effort, the time and the energy for restorative actions, we have to want to — we have to care. This means more than simply engaging our heads with grim facts and figures. We must engage our hearts. When things get personal, we get motivated.
In order to care, we need to reconnect, with Nature and with each other! This an integral and entirely accessible component of restoration — inspiring us to help restore and support living, thriving, diverse, sustainable communities of all kinds, through direct involvement.
Without this profound transformation of human spirit and consciousness, without a REKINDLING of this sacred covenant with Nature and within ourselves, the suffering cannot end. In this crucial respect, we must either evolve or go extinct.

taiji captive blues

When I was last in Japan this previous winter, activist-philanthropist Ady Gil purchased a boat. Along with Masako Maxwell of A.G.W.C. Ady joined me in Taiji this October and soon we were exploring the coastline around Taiji by sea! Worried we might take some kind of drastic action to interfere with the hunters during the dolphin-drives, the Coast Guard arranged a formal meeting for our little crew. We laid out the nautical charts of the Taiji coastline and asked them to show us any places we were prohibited to venture into, assuming the killing Cove would be first on the list, closely followed by Taiji harbor.

Ady's boat in Taiji

Taiji sunrise

banger boats after dolphins

But out at sea, we could clearly see at such close quarters that this banger gang was having a much harder time. On the prow of our little vessel I leaned over the water and wished with every bit of my being that these dolphins might escape–but it looked impossible, the poor dolphins were surrounded by five roaring high powered boats, piloted by men whose experience driving dolphins is only exceeded by their lack of compassion for these amazing creatures. But suddenly, after more than four long hours of chase, the hunters just turned and headed back to Taiji! And there racing back out to sea, we glimpsed the dolphins themselves, leaping over the waves! What a moment, to see them still alive and racing free!

Startling face of Butoh

As usual, my time in Taiji overlapped with other visitors evincing a marvelous mix of nationalities and backgrounds. Among them were a soundman from the BBC, marine scientists from Israel, a filmmaker from New Zealand as well as Japanese citizens who are concerned about the fate of dolphins in Japan. Another unusual visitor I was most pleased to welcome into our midst was artist and performer Russ Ligtas from Cebu (in the Philippines). Russ who has a deep respect and affection for dolphins also studies the art of Japanese Butoh dance, had made his way to the Cove in Taiji for a series of performances dedicated to the cetaceans killed there.
What we initially thought might be a quiet first performance at the Cove soon turned out to be anything but as Ady Gil’s boat came ambling nonchalantly into the Cove itself to film the performance—closely followed by the coast guard’s small inflatable.

Activists occupy the Cove

They both floated quietly waiting for the show to start. Word of this quickly spread and the place was soon fully stocked with around 15 police who had turned out to see what was going on. Meanwhile Russ was in the public bathroom putting on his costume, which includes very striking white face paint, which caused the officer who discovered him there to shout with surprise. As has become mandatory here now, before Russ could perform, he had to go through the passport check procedure, while the officers peered curiously at him. Finally, everyone settled down, and Russ began to perform on the shoreline of the Cove while cameras rolled and clicked.
Butoh dance is a more modern adaptation stemming from more traditional art forms like Kabuki theatre. It often addresses difficult social issues through the expressive medium of dance and voice. Russ’ performance, like his haunting white visage, was captivating.

The emotions we all struggle with here in Taiji were portrayed with incredible poignancy: the anguish, the grief, the despondence, the rage, and the empty lack of understanding at the seemingly endless deluge of death and cruelty lashing the shores of the Cove…. To say it was a powerful performance would be a terrible understatement.
During Russ’ short time here, two pods of beautiful Risso’s dolphins, totaling around 20 individuals, including tiny babies, were slaughtered in the Cove. Arrayed against them was the full might of the Taiji hunters: a wall of steel and roaring engines and always, that relentless banging noise driving the dolphins closer and closer to a painful death.
The dolphins were so incredibly beautiful, surfacing close together, keeping close to each other with their little babies at their sides.

dear Rissos dolphins facing death in the Cove

Such grace and camaraderie evident in these, the only wild creatures that will go out of their way to help humans in trouble at sea–and look what our species does in return… Having to witness this atrocity with one’s own eyes changes a person forever, and Russ took these experiences and incorporated them into his skillful artistic expression. There are times when art goes where activism cannot and where it can touch or reach those who might otherwise remain deaf and blind to issues of cruelty and suffering.
The connection between the killing, capturing, buying, selling and trade in dolphins and whales is nowhere more obvious than in Taiji.

hungry captive + misled public = bad

garbage picked up and this heart left behind

can humans and dolphins get back into balance?

no way out?

It is no secret that security has been ramped up in Taiji since last season’s dolphin hunt finished.
As always, we who are on the ground here with Save Japan Dolphins and other protection NGOs appreciate the authorities’ professionalism, concern and courtesy–fine qualities that are too rarely demonstrated to such a degree in North American task forces.

As you may recall, typhoon Talas struck Japan around Sept 1st when SJD supporters from a number of different countries traveled to The Cove in Taiji for a special prayer ceremony lead by Ric O’Barry to mourn the many thousands of dolphins that have died there and the those who will be killed this season.

The damage to parts of this area from Roke’s heavy rains, flooding and mud slides was significant and resulted in loss of life for a number of local people in the Nachi-Katsuura area, only about 15 minutes drive from Taiji. Only in the last day or two have some of the mountain roads opened up enough to allow cars through, so today I was able to document some of the destruction this community has suffered from this terrible natural disaster.

homes ruined

It is extremely troubling to contemplate the millions of yen being spent to maintain a superfluous police presence in Taiji to acquiesce to the demands and protect the interests of such a tiny group of men who insist on continuing the dolphin slaughter–when so many people in this area are suffering from the loss of their homes, family and shelter. Its heart breaking and it clearly highlights the undercurrents of corruption at work in this Blood Dolphin business of capturing, killing and trading in live cetaceans.

homes, families and communities devastated from typhoon floods and mudslides.

This situation brings into stark relief not only the harm and corruption that supports the taiji dolphin hunter’s trade in live and dead dolphins, but shows us that the hunters’ disregard for life extends also toward the Japanese citizens in this coastal area. Taiji harbours capitalism in its most heartless and predatory form to the detriment of Japanese citizens, Japan’s international reputation and treatment of marine life.
Taiji’s shame only grows deeper.

Priorities need to be changed here.

Meanwhile, we are looking into donating some bedding, blankets and heaters to those in need here.
A small gesture perhaps, but most heartfelt.

jump for your supper

The connection between the killing, capturing, buying, selling and trade in dolphins and whales is nowhere more obvious than in Taiji. However, this deadly connection is intentionally hidden from the many Japanese tourists visiting these parts, eagerly paying to watch dolphin shows and to pet, kiss and swim with captive cetaceans, all of whom have endured the trauma of chase, capture and the tragic slaughter of their families and communities.

It is frustrating that the authorities keep us behind barriers where we cannot even try to communicate with these unsuspecting Japanese tourists to attempt to warn them about the system of killing and capture they support by buying tickets to these marine attractions–money that goes directly into the pockets of the men here who cruelly and intentionally harm dolphins.
How ironic that it is the lure of the dolphins’ beauty and grace that condemns them to death and servitude….

abuse is not amusing

prisons in the making

as with everything, education is Key…
For a fine example, please see this short video put together with Dr Lori Marino on cetacean captivity:
A Better Way to see Whales

THE WHALE coming to cinemas soon!

We soon found the Faroese people we were privileged enough to meet demonstrated the openness and hospitality that is in fact typical of these breathtakingly beautiful islands. During my time there I realized that though the Faroese people have a long tradition of hunting pilot whales for food, there is not a lot of information widely available about dolphin and whales’ complex social ties, intelligence or sentience and I thought finding ways to share material illustrating these qualities we share with cetaceans might represent a thread worthy of pursuit.

Building on the connections and friendships we were able to make during this first visit, I spent the next weeks working to arrange a public screening of a cetacean film at the Faroe’s national performance center in the capital of Torshavn, called The Nordic House. This was in partnership with the Faroese Animal Protection Association, Djóraverndarfelagið – www.dvf.fo (or just the DVF for short), which looks after the welfare of dogs, cats, ponies and other domestic animals on the islands. The film-screening event was arranged as a fundraiser for the DVF towards the construction of the very first animal shelter in the Faroes—a positive local cause.

Faroese newspaper

With the kind support again of Cetacean Society International and activist-philanthropist Ady Gil of Ady Gil World Conservation society this event became a reality. I had approached filmmakers Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit with the idea of screening their new film, THE WHALE about a young wild orca who loses his family and befriends a coastal community in a remote area of the Canadian Pacific Northwest. This I knew was the PERFECT film to introduce the Faroese people to the wonder, personality, and connection we can share with cetaceans. Mike and Suzanne were immediately interested in the idea of a Faroese screening, but there was just one problem: the film could not circulate until after its big world premiere in New York or LA.
But all was not lost.
Mike and Suzanne are no ordinary documentary filmmakers. Only last year I’d been in Taiji Japan with Suzanne covering the issue of the dolphin slaughter there. They are people who are deeply committed to the conservation and well being of dolphins and whales and they quickly realized what a potentially positive impact their film could have on an audience in a whaling nation. Though time was running out, Mike and Suzanne managed to convince the film distributors that a change of plan was needed. With the support of Ady Gil and the DVF, we were soon proudly announcing that the world premiere of THE WHALE would be at none other than Torshavn’s Nordic House in the Faroe Islands. And it was this happy news along with our visiting presence that was the focus of the newspaper article on the seat beside me in the airplane.

Runi and Ady interviewing on Faroese radio

We were met at the airport by a camera crew with the Faroese TV station who conducted interviews about the much-anticipated film screening. Press was similarly positive the following day when Suzanne, Ady and myself along with Turid Christophersen and Runi Nielsen of the DVF were interviewed on Faroese Radio.

After sorting out all the technical details we were ready for our big night—but nervous. All the national press had been great, but the topic of whales remains a sensitive one in the Faroes these days. Would people come out to see the film and support our fundraiser for a Faroese animal shelter? We just didn’t know.
Curiosity it seemed, prevailed and soon the Nordic House began to fill up with people of all sorts until we had about 200 guests in all. We were thrilled. We also invited a camera crew filming for a TV series for Animal Planet to be a part of the event, as we felt it was important to share the development of these positive events.

Ady Gil, Suzanne Chisholm and Runi Nielsen at the Nordic House world premiere of THE WHALE in Torshavn!

For those who have not yet seen THE WHALE (and you really must), it’s a tremendous film that opens a tender window into the world of Luna the young wild orca who loses his family and tries to make friends with humans. Many diverse opinions about this unique situation are shared throughout the film and as so often seems to be the case with human beings, the issue of whales seems to bring out the very best and worst in different people. Luna’s antics in THE WHALE inevitably evoke laughter, tears, hope, and wonder to those who sharing the little orca’s journey. The poignant friendship that develops between Luna and so many different people is of a caliber that begs the viewer to re-evaluate this unknown mind in the waters.

After the film we had a panel Q&A discussion which featured: Runi Nielsen and Turid Christophersen of the DVF, Ady Gil as a dedicated animal activist, Suzanne Chisholm as co-creator of the film and Mr. Jens Mortan Rasmussen who is a Faroese whaler and very involved in this issue in the Faroese community.

Q&A Panel discussion

Epic is the only word to describe the wild beauty of the islands!

little seal

http://www.thewhalemovie.com/

save whales

Have just returned from our World Premiere screening of THE WHALE in the Faroe Islands with film producer Suzanne Chisholm and Ady Gil.
More soon!

Protest events can be creative and FUN!

It was a typically hot summer day and friends new and old gathered together to raise public awareness about why in this day and age, marine parks with captive cetaceans are utterly superfluous and as well as inherently cruel. Leaflets and educational materials were distributed to folks entering and leaving the park, while the rest of us waved signs, chatted and cheered appreciatively as supportive passersby waved and beeped their horns.

unfortunate captive beluga

Highlights included a group of fellows all the way from Tunisia who spontaneously joined the protest, excited to share their support on their FB pages.

Helping hands, all the way from Tunisia!

You meet the best kinds of people doing these kinds of things. More gratifying still is the realization that compared to say 10 years ago, this anti-captivity movement is really graining unprecedented momentum as more and more people come to realize the cruelties involved in the capture and incarceration of dolphins and whales. Follow the money–find the truth!

orca Ike trapped in a concrete box

The cetacean-captivity issue represents a poignant micro-example of the struggle humanity is facing across the world today: To REALIZE the damage we are inflicting on animals, ecosystems and each other, to take RESPONSIBILITY for the part we may be knowingly or unknowingly playing in causing harm, to gather strength, information and inspiration by RECONNECTING with others around us and then, to take actions towards RESTORATION.

There can be no doubt that we find it fascinating to enjoy the beauty and majesty of captive cetaceans up close. The great shift is to refuse this pleasure, knowing it ruins the lives of those we look at; to realize we are not in fact entitled to take away the freedom and families of these wondrous creatures for our weekend amusement. Its a leap that society continues to make, though for those of us trying to end the suffering, the change is never fast enough…

Can you see the sadness behind the smile?

Education is key and a very good video about this issue, complete with a message about dolphin captivity by none other than Dr. Jane Goodall, can be seen here, please share!
Marineland FYI with Jane Goodall

Keeping a protest cheerful, determined, creative, fun and most of all APPROACHABLE is one of the best ways to keep spirits up and invite others to learn about the causes one feels passionate about.

United for FREEDOM!

This approach was rewarded! Not one, but several families, after having driven hours in a hot car full of kids, reached the gates of Marineland, doubtless eager to begin a day of fun, and upon seeing our signs, took the time to inquire why we were protesting agains the place. They asked keen questions and quickly began to realize what we were telling them. And just like most people, who allow the appalling TRUTH to sink in–these good people quickly realized Marineland was NOT the kind of family entertainment they were looking for and they actually turned around and left the park!
They may not have realized it, but these people were true heroes–brave enough to listen with an open mind–and make the right choice once armed with the facts, however they might seem to disagree with the “happy make-believe world” illusion that marine parks spend millions on maintaining. I see the possibility of a better future for us all when I encounter folks like this–people who simply want to be part of the solution rather than the problem and are willing to do the right thing.

dying for our amusement. But it doesn't have to be this way.

Lifesblood spilt

Because of massive subsidies from Denmark, the people of the Faroes enjoy an extremely affluent and comfortable modern lifestyle and as the Faroese become an increasingly modern, traveled and more Europeanized society, the grisly and antiquated business of whale slaughter leaves an increasing gap between the younger generations and older ones. Apparently many city dwellers are simply not interested in involvement with the killing or eating of pilot whales.

pilot whale meat for sale in Faroese grocery store.

Unlike Japan, Faroese, scientists and public health officials do not cover up the fact that the flesh of dolphins and whales contains dangerous levels of mercury, PCBs and other toxins. In fact, we found that the associated health risks are widely understood and because of this, Faroese consumption of pilot whale meat continues to diminish. Faroese health officials have strongly advised that developing children, women who are pregnant or intending to become pregnant and all nursing mothers avoid eating pilot whale meat completely. All others have been advised not to have more than 1-2 servings per month and to avoid eating the blubber and internal organs completely.
Based on Faroese health recommendations and the percentage of the population who should or do actually eat the whale meat, it has been calculated that it would only take about 35 adult pilot whales to fulfill current consumption limits. This of course begs the question—what is happening to the rest of the meat from the many hundreds of whales being slaughtered each year?????

This lack of demand may lie behind the documentation from last summer (by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society) of a number of pilot whale carcasses simply being (surreptitiously) dumped in a bay, rather than being distributed among the whale killers, which exposes the hunt as an increasingly shameful blood-sport being perpetuated by a decreasing Faroese minority to the detriment of the entire nation:

http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/editorial-100913-1.html

Despite the wishes of the remaining die-hard whale killers, there has been a general trend in the populace away from participation in the hunting and eating of pilot whales. The increasingly indifferent majority it seems would not much miss the pilot whale hunt if it were gone tomorrow. There are also those Faroese who are keenly aware that the political push for independence away from reliance on Denmark for funds, means the islands would depend instead on a corresponding increase from tourism. But over the last 25 years or so, the Faroese’ international reputation has been soiled through its continuation of the pilot whale slaughter, which has become a distinct liability against increasing income from tourism. At the present rate, the pilot whale hunt does seem fated to end, though whether this might be in five, ten or fifteen years is difficult to say.

Beauty, intelligence and social sophistication in the seas

So, what can be done to help the situation?

Education is key and a big part of this is finding ways to make good information on cetacean intelligence and self-awareness available and accessible to the Faroese public. Sharing accounts of dolphins rescuing people and other instances of positive interspecies interaction represents a powerful tool in helping the people of the Faroe Islands understand the nature of cetaceans and why such strong opposition to the pilot whale hunt exists. This could include circulating videos and documentaries via internet/You Tube and DVDs about cetaceans to inspire wonder and a sense of connection. You can see an example here (sorry, Danish subtitles only):

We also hope to work with the people there to arrange a public screening of The Cove to encourage public discussion of these issues and improve understanding of dolphins and whales.

Carefully directed international public outcry against pilot whale slaughter targeting the Tourism Board can also serve as a reminder to policy makers that this bloody and outdated tradition continues to affect the Faroese reputation in the eyes of the international community and negatively impact tourism revenues:
The Faroe Islands Board of Tourism Bryggjubakki 12 P.O box 118 Fo 110 Tórshavn Tel +298 306100 /Fax +298 306105 visitfaroeislands@mfa.fo

Faroese youth contemplate the future: Whales in peace or pieces?

However, I think the most important thing is establishing common ground—the Faroese value family, community, safety and culture. We need to help them understand that whales and dolphins share these same values with us and have the same right to enjoy them without harm or persecution. Igniting wonder, understanding and appreciation of cetaceans to replace slaughter means envisioning a better future, one that includes whale watching rather than killing, which will contribute to a healthier populace and economy in the Faroe Islands.

Family bonds are the core of pilot whale life.