Current:Home > Scams78 whales killed in front of cruise ship passengers in the Faroe Islands-LoTradeCoin
78 whales killed in front of cruise ship passengers in the Faroe Islands
View Date:2024-12-24 00:14:20
Cruise ship passengers arrived in the Faroe Islands as dozens of whales were killed as part of a traditional hunt, the cruise line confirmed Thursday.
Ambassador Cruise Line apologized to the passengers of the ship Ambition. Passengers were there as 78 pilot whales, which are techncally one of the largest members of the dolphin family, were killed in the port area on Sunday.
Hunting whales and dolphins is a common and regulated practice in the islands, which are a self-governing, semi-autonomous region of Denmark. The local government describes the pilot whale hunt, also known as "grind," as "an ancient and integral part of Faroese food culture."
"We strongly object to this outdated practice and have been working with our partner, ORCA, the marine conservation charity dedicated to studying and protecting whales, dolphins and porpoises in UK and European waters, to encourage change since 2021," a spokesperson for the cruise line said.
The killing of more than 1,400 dolphins in the region sparked outrage in 2021. At the time, the chairman of the Faroese Whalers Association told the BBC that while the number of dolphins killed was excessive, it was accidental.
"It was a big mistake," he told the BBC. "When the pod was found, they estimated it to be only 200 dolphins."
The Faroese catch an average of 600 pilot whales annually, according to government data. From 2000 to 2020, no more than 773 white-sided dolphins were caught in a single year.
"Whaling in the Faroe Islands is conducted in accordance with international law and globally recognized principles of sustainable development," according to the island's government website. "It is sustainable and fully regulated, with a strong emphasis on animal welfare, and a requirement today for participants to be licensed to use the mandatory methods and equipment. Whale drives only take place in bays that are officially approved for the purpose, and only schools of whales found in close proximity to land, usually within one nautical mile, are driven ashore."
Whatever is caught during the hunt is distributed to island residents for free.
Ambassador Cruise Lne said the company told "guests and crew not to buy or eat any whale or dolphin meat and stand against any profiteering from commercial whaling and dolphin hunts."
Conservationists from ORCA were on board the shp as it arrived in the Faroe Islands. According to the organization, small boats and jet skies were used to herd the pilot whales into shallow waters. The whales were hauled ashore and killed.
"It defies belief that the Faroese authorities allowed this activity to take place in clear sight of a cruise ship packed with passengers sitting in dock," ORCA CEO Sally Hamilton said. "On one hand, they promote their pristine environment and spectacular wildlife while simultaneously wielding gaff hooks and lances to kill whales and dolphins. It's almost as if they are flaunting the hunt and taunting the tourists."
Long-finned pilot whales live 35-60 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They grow to be 19-25 feet long and weigh 2,900 to 5,000 pounds. The species is threatened by whaling, entanglement in fishing gear, disease and contaminants in ocean waters, NOAA says.
- In:
- Hunting
- Whales
Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBS News.
TwitterveryGood! (39)
Related
- California man allegedly shot couple and set their bodies, Teslas on fire in desert
- The White House Wants To Fight Climate Change And Help People. Cleveland Led The Way
- Love Is Blind Is Getting Its First-Ever Live Reunion Special: All the Details
- Couple accused of torture and murder of South Korean influencer at their clinic in Cambodia
- Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
- On trip to China, Blinken to raise cases of wrongfully detained Americans with Chinese
- 8 workers apparently tried to quit their jobs at a drug cartel call center. They were killed and their body parts were placed in bags.
- Christina Hall's Husband Josh Hall Pokes Fun at Critics as Couple Celebrates 2 Years Together
- Taylor Swift Becomes Auntie Tay In Sweet Photo With Fellow Chiefs WAG Chariah Gordon's Daughter
- 4 children who survived 40 days in Colombia jungle reunited with families
Ranking
- Minnesota county to pay $3.4M to end lawsuit over detainee’s death
- Pressure On The World's Biggest Polluters Is Increasing. But Can It Force Change?
- U.S. says Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia will likely take a long time and come at a high cost
- Former head of U.K. police watchdog group charged with raping a minor
- NCT DREAM enters the 'DREAMSCAPE': Members on new album, its concept and songwriting
- The White House Wants To Fight Climate Change And Help People. Cleveland Led The Way
- Amazon's Secret Outlet Section Has 65% Off on Sam Edelman, UGG, Lacoste, Alo Yoga & More
- Bella Hadid Shares Insight Into Her Battle With Depression and Fatigue Amid Lyme Disease Journey
Recommendation
-
Drone footage captures scope of damage, destruction from deadly Louisville explosion
-
CMT Music Awards 2023 Red Carpet Fashion: See Every Look as the Stars Arrive
-
Reese Witherspoon Ditches Her Wedding Ring While Out in Nashville Amid Jim Toth Divorce
-
Mod Sun Shares What Saved His Life After Avril Lavigne Breakup
-
12 college students charged with hate crimes after assault in Maryland
-
Celebrity Chef Nick DiGiovanni's Kitchen Essentials Make Cooking Fun & Easy
-
Exxon Lobbyist Caught On Video Talking About Undermining Biden's Climate Push
-
Police appeal for photos and video after American arrested in fatal attack near German castle