Shocking images from the Faroe Islands show the sea turning red after over 700 dolphins and whales were killed in the traditional hunt known as “grindadrap,” or simply “grind.”
According to the marine conservation organization Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, more than 700 marine animals were killed in a single day, with 406 recorded in the capital Torshavn alone.
This number exceeds two-thirds of the total of approximately 1,000 marine animals hunted in the Faroe Islands throughout the entire year 2025.
The "grind" hunt has existed for centuries in the Faroe Islands, where locals herd dolphins and whales into shallow waters before killing them for food.
However, the scale of the 2026 hunt is generating a strong backlash from international animal welfare organizations.
Sea Shepherd stated that this year the situation has become more severe due to the lack of specialized tools known as spinal lances — equipment used to quickly render the animals unconscious in accordance with Danish regulations.
According to the organization, many participants had to use whaling knives and other crude tools, causing many animals to suffer prolonged pain before death.
Sea Shepherd accused some animals of being pushed onto rocks, colliding with boat propellers, or being injured during the hunt.
Meanwhile, many Faroe Islanders view whales and dolphins as a traditional, sustainably exploitable food source and a part of the region's ancient culture.
The Faroe Islands are an archipelago located in the North Atlantic, operating as an autonomous territory of Denmark.
Marine conservation groups stated that they risk expulsion from the Faroe Islands for filming and documenting this year's hunting activities.
