Re: Dolphin Project Returns to Taiji...but let’s not forget about yet another, repeat hideous, horror show still going on in the Faroe Islands!

[Anteaterken]

 

In a message dated 2/3/2026 4:48:40 PM US Eastern Standard Time, zpe...@twcmetrobiz.com writes:

 

And let’s not forget about this, long-standing, hideous horror show still going on and, for reasons unknown, not mentioned by the Dolphin Project! Ric.O...@dolphinproject.com :

 

The annual slaughter of dolphins and pilot whales, known as the "Grind" (grindadráp), still takes place in the 

Faroe Islands

. 

While it is a long-standing tradition, it remains highly active and controversial: 

Recent Activity (2024–2026)

• Ongoing Hunts: In 2025, nearly 1,000 cetaceans (996 total) were killed. This included significant hunts in January (47 pilot whales), June (246 pilot whales), and September (285 pilot whales).
• Dolphin vs. Whale Hunting: Pilot whales are the primary target, but other dolphin species like Atlantic white-sided dolphins are also killed. Following a record slaughter of 1,428 dolphins in 2021, the Faroese government implemented a provisional annual limit of 500 dolphins for 2022 and 2023.
• Legal Developments (2025–2026): In late 2025, authorities filed unprecedented animal cruelty charges related to a 2024 hunt, which briefly halted some hunts in the northern islands. As of early February 2026, international pressure continues, with members of the European Parliament lobbying for a total ban. 

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society +10

Key Facts About the Grind

• Method: Pods are spotted near the coastline and driven into designated killing bays by motorboats and jet skis. Once beached, hunters use a specialized lance to sever the spinal cord.
• Legality: The hunt is legal and regulated by the Faroese government, despite being outside European Union laws that protect cetaceans.
• Purpose: It is not a commercial hunt; the meat and blubber are distributed for free among the local community for food.
• Health Concerns: Medical experts have warned against consuming the meat due to high levels of mercury and other toxins. 

 

And this from an activist in the UK:

“I don't recall seeing any news items that the disgusting grind  took place last year. It's usually reported and highlighted in main newspapers.  A few years ago we went to a protest outside the Danish embassy in London where Sea Shepherd had a huge mock-up of a plastic pilot whalel. The protest was well attended with lots of shouting and people using loud speakers. The Danish navy acts as look-out for passing pods and alerts the Faroese scum who go out in their boats to lure these beautiful creatures to coves but then you know the rest.  SS also dispels what the Faroese say about eating these poor slain creatures  because SS has film footage of carcasses being dumped over cliffs or far out to sea.
The Faroese  passed a law which required visitors/tourists to report any sightings of passing pods of pilot whales and if they didn't they would either be heavily fined or flung in jail. A few years a group of A/R people   bravely went to the Faroes to protest against the grind but the filthy scumbags murdering these sentient beings forced them to sit on the beach and watch the horrific killings.
I wrote to cruise ship companies which had the Faroes on their itinerary.  I pleaded with them not to go to the Faroes because of the barbarity but I had no response.  I read that when one ship visited  the Faroes some passengers witnessed the slaughter and were quite upset by what they saw. Apparently these poor creatures cry out to each other as they're being slain. There are some Faroese who are opposed to this barbarity but they keep quiet and some are informers to A/R  organisations.
The Faroese use the feeble excuse that centuries ago the grind was carried out to provide food for the Faroese people but that excuse doesn't stand anymore because the Faroese have a high up-to-date standard of living. 
I'm sure Ric O'Barry is aware of this horror show.  Paul Watson has broken away from Sea Shepherd and formed his own organisation using his name in the title.
The human race hasn't fully evolved has it? I grieve for all these beautiful and highly intelligent murdered creatures and curse the scumbag perpetrators.”

 

From: Dolphin Project <Ric.O...@dolphinproject.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 8:06 AM
Dolphin Project Returns to Taiji

 

For the remainder of the 2025-26 dolphin hunting season, Dolphin Project Cove Monitors are back on the ground in Taiji, Japan. Our presence here will help continue to raise awareness about the hunts, and the undeniable link to the captivity industry. We are networking with Japanese activists, as it’s crucial to raise awareness within Japan. Together, we are trying to come up with creative solutions to end the hunts. Our Cove Monitors are also documenting the cruelty of both the drive hunts and the captivity industry in Taiji. Photos and videos taken here in real time are important for education and awareness, in order to enact lasting change. Finally, we continue to monitor the hunts closely, searching for any evidence of violations of their hunting permits. Taiji is a busy place – between the drive hunts, the captive facilities and the transfers of dolphins to facilities outside of Taiji, it’s important to have multiple sets of eyes on the ground from different vantage points. Please consider making a donation to our campaign in Taiji, Japan. Dolphin Project’s relentless commitment to exposing the cruelty of the Taiji drive hunts has kept the pressure on both the hunters and the Japanese government in order to end them. Our hope is that with our continued activism, we can protect future generations of wild dolphins from slaughter and a lifetime of exploitation. Cove Monitors document a dolphin drive in Taiji, Japan. Credit: DolphinProject.org “The single biggest factor in effecting change regarding captive marine mammals comes from within the country. Hunting numbers are down and public opinion is slowly turning within Japan. It has never been more important to support all the local activists working on these issues.” ~ Tim Burns, Dolphin Project Last year, in 2025, when Dolphin Project was present in Taiji for the last six weeks of the drive hunt season, we were able to open many new eyes to the horrors of these hunts, and the connection to the captive dolphins displayed in tanks across the world. Via livestreams and posts on our social media channels, as well as sharing information and documentation with our Japanese counterparts, people were exposed to the goings-on in Taiji. The Cove movie, released in 2009 and the recipient of an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature (2010) is already 17 years old. There is a whole generation of people who have never heard of the movie, nor are they aware of the atrocities that take place annually in Taiji. Many commenters on social media have said they never heard about the drive hunts and wanted to learn more about them. Japanese activists oppose the dolphin drive hunts, Taiji, Japan Raising awareness both globally and within Japan are keys to ending dolphin captivity. The demand from around the world to go to dolphin shows, swim with captive dolphins, and participate in dolphin-assisted therapy is what keeps this industry going. The captivity industry provides Taiji with the financial motivation to continue the drive hunts. Dolphins are slaughtered, meat is sold but the overwhelming majority of profits come from the capture, training, and selling of dolphins as circus performers. While the tide is turning in many parts of the world, with attendance at marine parks declining and several going bankrupt and closing their doors, demand within Japan continues to be strong. Therefore, it is crucial for Dolphin Project to work with, and support Japanese activists as they strive to raise awareness within Japan. There are many dedicated Japanese activists protesting and educating in front of marine parks throughout Japan, as well as organizing postcard campaigns –  sending many postcards to Japanese government officials requesting the end of these hunts. Spending time in Taiji allows us to meet with, and discuss strategies with Japanese activists. The media taken in Taiji is closely viewed as we search for evidence of any possible violations of hunting permits. This type of evidence needs to be current and violations need to be seen repeatedly. Pursuing legal action is an important piece in the fight to end the dolphin drive hunts. Images posted on social media spread awareness and inspire action. Another important use of our media is for educational purposes. It is used to create videos for lesson plans for teachers to use in their classrooms. It is also used during in-person presentations for students of all ages. The visuals are very powerful and make an impact on students. Taiji is ground zero for captive dolphin sales. Being here and documenting transfers gives us an idea of the current demand for captive dolphins, as we look for trends in numbers and species sold. Gathering all the information we can, learning all we can about the dolphin drive hunts, and the captive dolphin trade is important in our continuing efforts to end the hunts. LEARN MORE about how your support helps our efforts in Taiji, Japan. Featured image: Dolphins are driven into the Cove for slaughter or captive selection, Taiji, Japan. Credit: DolphinProject.org       WAYS TO HELP   DONATE   Every dollar counts! Each time you donate to Dolphin Project, know that you are aiding the longest running, anti-captivity dolphin welfare organization in the world. Donate with confidence! 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