It is not pleasant to think of a poor bunch of creatures in distress, but the passengers who visited the Faeroes last Sunday aboard an Ambassador cruise liner have at least received an apology for their upset. Some 78 pilot whales were driven into a bay and slaughtered in front of them in a traditional hunt which goes back to the 16th century. The company issued a statement saying:
We were incredibly disappointed that this hunt occurred, particularly at a time when our ship was in port, and have offered our sincere apologies to all those onboard who may have witnessed this distressing occurrence… While traditional hunts of this type have taken place for many years in the Faeroe Islands to sustain local communities, we strongly object to this outdated practice.
There is no word yet, though, of an apology to the Faroe Islanders for having to watch a shipload of cruise passengers disembark in their small capital city, Torshavn, take a few photos and buy a few trinkets before heading back to their ship for bed and board. Large cruise ships are a big enough curse as it is, without their crew and passengers coming to tut-tut at your way of life.
The killing of pilot whales by Faroe Islanders is not a conservation issue. Annually, they kill around 800 of the animals, out of a global population estimated at between 800,000 and 1 million. Moreover, if you want to reduce human harm to pilot whales, the Faeroes’ hunt is not where you would start. Pilot whales are notorious for beaching themselves, by the hundred – a fate which some believe may be made worse by noise pollution from ships. The animals have also been found to have high levels of the insecticide DDT and the PCBs – chemicals used in the electrical industry. So, if you are really concerned about pilot whales, you should maybe keep your cruise ships away from areas they inhabit.
Opposition to whaling on the scale practiced in the Faeroes is really just a product of our infantilised, anthropomorphising modern world
Opposition to whaling on the scale practiced in the Faeroes is really just a product of our infantilised, anthropomorphising modern world, in which some species seem to have acquired a sacred status. In the case of whales, their cause is helped by the illusion of a smile, which helps us imagine them with human emotions. If they looked as vacuous as a turbot we might be less inclined to elevate them to sacred status. Are they really more intelligent than other mammals that end up on our plates? Who knows. But in a strict utilitarian sense there is a moral case for whaling: take the life of a single whale and you can feed several hundred Faeroes Islanders in one go. It is a very different calculation if you are going to be fed on, say, whitebait.
But one thing is for sure: we might not take it kindly if a coachload of package tourists from the Faeroes turned up at a slaughterhouse in Britain and started objecting to us eating pigs, cows, sheep, and chicken. In fact, we might just be inclined to tell them to pack up their bus and hotfoot it back to Torshavn. If the Faeroes decide to ban cruise ships from their waters, I can’t say I would blame them.
Ross Clark is a leader writer and columnist who has written for The Spectator for three decades. His books include Not Zero and The Road to Southend Pier.
By Hans J. Hermansen – Past president and board member for 22 years for the Faroese Pilot Whaler’s Association.
The entire population of Faroe Islands, undertaking their annual ritual, rushed from one whale bay to the other. In a killing spree, men, women and children partied for days as they merrily went about hacking whales to death for fun.
They slaughtered a few hundred sweet and intelligent marine mammals, who without GPS devices or other nautical assistance had strayed within these barbarians’ territorial waters.
And this is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. They do not need the meat and blubber up there. They can consume products from the Supermarket that other civilized people eat which is slaughtered behind closed doors without any visible blood to offend sensibilities.
This is pretty much the impression that many people have after seeing reports from the recent killing of pilot whales in the Faroe Islands. The source is footage is from Sea Shepherd designed to outrage viewers about this apparently offensive spectacle and getting them to dig deep into their pockets to support the dubious activities of “Captain” Paul Watson and his acolytes.
So we have bold headlines and graphic images all disseminated worldwide now amplified many times over by social media. Seemingly, in Anno Domini 2015, we have a phenomena which illustrate the philosopher Herbert Spencer’s (1820-1903) maxim “Opinion is ultimately determined by the feelings and not by the intellect.”
Thus, we let ourselves get enraged over what we see and experience, or rather: think we see and experience. We get the latest news served as ready meals and fast food suitably tailored for the purpose. And we consume indiscriminately and get enraged over the cruelty of these barbarians. It makes our blood boil.
I can state the following facts:
The pilot whale is not an endangered species (according to NAMMCO approx. 600,000-800,000 animals in the North Atlantic).
Blubber and meat go for human consumption (exploitation: 53 percent of body weight).
The killing method is humane (fastest method of killing of wild mammals, both on land and in water, IWC Glasgow 1992).
Whaling is regulated (0.3 percent of the stock are killed annually- reproduction rate is 8 percent).
Pilot whaling and killing methods are evaluated in the Faroe Islands.
Pilot whaling is a completely random and non-commercial traditional hunting.
With an effective and humane method of killing- we get the best meat/blubber.
It is every hunter’s duty, honour and pride to kill any animal as quickly and humanely as possible.
We would not kill these animals if the justification was merely based on cultural tradition, and the first three criteria were not satisfied.
Most of what we consume in the western world is killed behind closed doors in specialized slaughterhouses. These animals are transported to their deaths in special transports from their cells, where they have spent their lives. They have undoubtedly had a good life with a full stomach. Then we find the food ready-made in supermarkets. For example recently slaughtered battery hens, temptingly wrapped in a purpose-made decorative coffin, just to cremate and consume.
Unfortunately, this type of mechanical process is not possible when we take 50-200 pilot whales a few times each year. And yes, it can be a dismaying spectacle with the blood flowing freely into the sea. We cannot hide that from the outside world nor do we try to do so.
“Opinion is ultimately determined by the feelings, and not by the intellect.”
Our attention, energy, intensity and intimacy is focused 100 percent on the job at hand during those few minutes a whale killing takes place. Afterwards, there is always an evaluation of the operation by the experienced pilot hunters, who are all trained in the job.
So, is whale killing very different from killing other animals? Are we Faroese so much different from other meat-eating people?
Or should we fall into line with the moralists and hypocrites, wash our hands of the dilemma and shout “Crucify!” Then let our heritage become neutralized and accessible only in the museums and art galleries?
But the life goes on. In 2015, how many people really think about where the animal that they eat comes from, or the killing method employed while they enjoy the exquisite product possibly with a cheeky glass of wine. And how social and civilized it is to chat on these occasions with friends and neighbours about all sorts of issues and future themes.
The topic of killing pilot whales has the potential for a healthy debate, but it but it would not hurt if it were spiced with a hint of truth. But, this is difficult when so many of today’s civilized people seem to gravitate to the famous words: If it is fact, then deny a fact!
OK, there have been countless blog posts about this topic now, and since I am no expert I’ve held my tongue. Be that as it may there are so many things being said that even the slightest attempt at basic research would disprove, that it’s becoming increasingly frustrating to identify as human – the stupidity is overwhelming.
One of the greatest strengths of the internet is also one of its greatest weaknesses: everyone gets a voice. That means people, whose thoughts and opinions would be much better served if they never reached the light of day, get to express themselves. Sometimes this is harmless; everyone is allowed their own opinion. It is when an opinion is based on misinformation and lies that it becomes not only wrong, but also invalid, because contrary to popular belief you are not entitled to have a wrong opinion. If there are facts thatprove the reasoning for your opinion is wrong, there is no reason at all for anyone to accept your opinion as being neither valid nor acceptable, and this is what is happening with the whale killings in the Faroes.
You are completely in the right to disagree with whale killings for the simple reason that you may really like whales. It’s not an opinion that holds a lot of weight, and it most certainly is no argument for you to try to get them banned, unless you are in fact vegan and are equally against the slaughter of all animals, in which case you are completely allowed to fight against whale killings all you want equally alongside your fight against the killings of other animals. Might I even suggest that you start with the millions of animals whose entire lives are spent in tiny enclosures alongside their peers, living in their own urine and feces, whose existence is filled with misery, sickness, and broken bones, until they are killed in completely inhumane ways, rather than the few hundreds of whales that are killed by the Faroese people – as quickly and humanely as possible – after living free, full lives at sea.
However, if you’re going to disagree with whale killings because you’ve read some bogus article about it being a “rite of passage” into adulthood, because pilot whales are “endangered”, because it’s something that’s done “for fun” at “blood festivals”, because “look at all the blood in the ocean! They’re savages”, or because “whales are intelligent”, let me tell you a few things.
1. It is not a “Rite of Passage”
Is it a “tradition”? Yes! The Faroese people have been doing this for hundreds of years. It’s a part of their heritage and it most certainly is “passed down” – how else would it survive? However, this is done for food. The Faroes have a harsh climate and agriculture options are limited. Nearly everything has to be imported. Can you really judge them for getting food from where they can, especially considering that this is not an industry, the whales are not actively hunted, and the meat and blubber gets distributed evenly for free?
2. Pilot whales are not endangered
I have no idea where this started. Pilot whales most certainly are not endangered, and if they were, it would not be because of the 0.1% of the whales that the Faroese people kill, that has long been deemed a very sustainable number.
3. There is no such thing as “Blood Festivals”
I actually don’t even know what more to say about this. How this one got started is a mystery to me. It is a complete fabrication – someone must have a very vivid imagination.
4. When you kill something, there will be blood (unless you use poison, or something)
When cows and pigs are slaughtered there is a lot of blood as well. Only difference is they don’t get slaughtered on a beach. Would you rather they moved the whales off the beach, bringing more suffering to everyone just so that it would look more appropriate? The Faroese mostly have great respect for these creatures, and don’t wish to cause them any unnecessary suffering.
5. Whales are intelligent
..but so are cows and pigs, and considering how they are treated during their entire lives in the meat industry, you really need to rethink this one. Did you know, that cows allegedly mourn the deaths of and even separation from those they love, even shedding tears over their loss. The mother-calf bond is particularly strong, and there are countless reports of mother cows who continue to frantically call and search for their babies after the calves have been taken away and sold to veal or beef farms.
6. There is an entire system to all of this
You may not be aware of this (actually if you’re one of the people who believe the propaganda I’m sure you’re not), but there really is an entire system to how this is handled. Pilot whales are not actively hunted and no one is out searching for them, trying to find a nice group of whales to kill. If they are spotted by someone, “Pilot Whale Foremen” – who are experts in the area – are informed and they have to judge whether the whales are close enough to shore, if the direction of the winds and currents are appropriate to ensure that it’s easy to drive the whale onto a beach, but not just any beach: the beach has to have been specifically approved for pilot whale killing. If all of these requirements (and probably more that I’m unaware of) aren’t met, the killings donot happen. If they are and the whales are driven onto shore, everything is monitored by officials and there’s a whole system to all of that too. If it looks “savage” it’s because people are bending over backwards to kill the whales as quickly as possible to ensure the least possible amount of stress. Killing something so you can eat it doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of respect for the life and integrity of the animal (unless you’re vegan or just don’t eat meat, in which case I – yet again – welcome your criticism).
7. This is the ultimate in “free range” meat
These whales live free lives right up until they are killed. They swim freely in the ocean, they eat what they’re supposed to eat, and they are not bred for the purpose of being eaten. Faroese agriculture in general is one of the best in the world. Sheep roam freely around the islands, contrary to most countries where farm animals live on top of each other in enclosures so small even an ant would get claustrophobic.
8. Look at yourselves and reflect
Do you even know what is going on in your own countries? If you’re Danish check out this link. If you’re American read this book or watch any undercover video by PETA. If you’re from a more “exotic” location where poachers hunt animals to extinction for their tusks, horns, or fur I’m sure you can agree you have more important things to focus on.
How many cows live for great parts of their life. Go on, judge. Did you know, that animal behaviourists have found that cows interact in socially complex ways, developing friendships over time and sometimes holding grudges against other cows who treat them badly.
How many cows live for great parts of their life. Go on, judge. Did you know, that animal behaviourists have found that cows interact in socially complex ways, developing friendships over time and sometimes holding grudges against other cows who treat them badly.
Why do the Faroe Islands receive this kind of attention for what they do? Is it merely because of the lies and propaganda, or is it because you want somewhere to point your finger, somewhere to direct your attention, so you don’t have to think about where that burger you’re about to eat really comes from?
If you’d like to know more about whaling press this link here.
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The entire population of Faroe Islands, undertaking their annual ritual, rushed from one whale bay to the other. In a killing spree, men, women and children partied for days as they merrily went about hacking whales to death for fun.
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