Creative Writing Class

Research Paper "Pilot Whale Massacre"

Pilot Whale Massacre

Whales are amazing, highly intelligent, social creatures with close family relationships. Whales' social behavior shows that these innocent creatures have feelings and emotions (Ecott). The Faroe Islands whale hunt has been practiced for centuries (Ecott). It was onced used to retrieve necessary goods to survive (Ecott). While it's a part of the history of the Faroe Islands, the people of the Faroe Islands should not slaughter the poor whales because the whales have emotions too, the slaughter of the whales is cruel, and the meat of the whales is poisonous.

The Faroese have been documented hunting pilot whales since Viking settlers visited the islands (Hesselager O'Barry 18). Experts say the hunt has been practiced for over 1,200 years (Ecott). The documentations of the whale hunt date back as far as 1584 (Hesselager O'Barry 18). In the past, the Faroese relied on whale meat as a crucial means of survival. The tradition has survived, because people like the whale meat and because they enjoy the kill.

Indeed, while it's part of the history and tradition of the islands, the people should not slaughter, or brutally murder the innocent whales. Some locals start hunting at the young ages of 8 and 13. They say the hunt has made them who they are and gives thrill to an otherwise mundane life, and those who oppose the hunt are sometimes accused of being disloyal to Faroese culture (Hesselager O'Barry 18). The people just want to keep a part of their history alive. The hunt's only purpose was to originally get whale meat, blubber, and oil to survive (Ecott). Now the people of the Faroe Islands view the hunt as a sport and they compare it to the widely loved American sport of football.

First, the people of the Faroe Islands should not slaughter the pilot whales, because the whales have emotions and can feel pain. Whale hunter Jens Mortan Rasmussen when asked if he ever considers the torment of the pilot whales during the hunt, said that he just,"[doesn't] think of it."( Hesselager O'Barry 18). Another hunter, when asked the same question, said that he,"[doesn't] view animals as being capable of feeling any emotion."( Hesselager O'Barry 18). Even though they either do not think of it or do not believe it, animals do have feelings. It has been proven that whales, in particular, are very social with close family relations, which shows that they indeed have emotions and are scared when they squeal out in agony during the hunt. and can do panic when they start to thrash about once they've been beached. Animals have emotions and feelings. They experience pain, desires, and can even make their own decisions just like all of us can (Motavalli 26-33). 

Additionally, the mass murder of the whales is cruel and brutal. Within a few minutes after the start of the hunt, the harbor turns to a scene of gory madness as the water stains red with blood and air with the strong metallic smell of blood (Hesselager O'Barry 18). Every member of the pod is slaughtered, including the calves, and pregnant females. The process in which the hunters murder the animals is quite cruel in itself. The fishermen drive the pod toward the shore, where the whales end up beaching themselves. They are unable to swim, and thus cannot escape. Groups of men and teenaged boys then begin to mercilessly kill the innocent animals. They slice into the whales' spines, severing the main artery, and in turn reddening the water with vast amounts of blood. Often the whales do not beach as planned, and the men have to haul them to shallower waters. The tool used to do so is an iron hook that the hunters jam into the whales head until fixed in place. They are then able to drag the poor creatures ashore (Hesselager O'Barry 18). The whales suffer vast amounts of physical and emotional pain, as their cries come out as whimpers, although barely audible to those watching from the sidelines (Slater). The merciless massacre of the pilot whales in the Faroe Islands is a barbaric practice, and the much-used argument of keeping the hunt as Faroese tradition has no substance.

Finally, the people of the Faroe Islands should not kill the whales, because the pilot whales' meat is poisonous. Pilot whale meat is contaminated with mercury and other toxic metals (Hesselager O'Barry 18). Most women of the house do not like the idea of feeding their families meat with toxins, and thus do not serve it at home (Hesselager O'Barry 18). Those who eat it know of the toxins in the meat but they like it and are too stubborn to listen to the warnings. The European Union and Faroese health authorities have warned people of the health hazards (Hesselager O'Barry 18). The toxins in the meat can contribute to Parkinson's disease in adults, weakened immune system in children, and can compromise fetal development (Hesselager O'Barry 18). The Faroese Food and Veterinary Agency say that the kidneys and liver of pilot whales should not be eaten by anyone ( Hesselager O'Barry 18). The Faroese should stop killing the whales for their meat and blubber when it's poisonous to consume.

Even though it's part of their history, the people of the Faroe Islands should not slaughter the pilot whales. The whales have emotions too, the slaughter is cruel, and the meat of the whales they kill are poisonous, thus making it pointless to kill the innocent creatures. The "Save the Whales" movement made monumental headway to become the most triumphant wildlife campaign in history (Brownell 5-13). The number of whales soon to be extinct are sadly still growing and have little to no protection (Brownell 5-13). Conservation Biologist Jared M. Diamon, of the University of LA, thinks, inadequate data prevents some species from going on the endangered list, thus an animal not on the endangered list can still be in danger (Brownell 5-13). The Ocean is a giant system that we have failed to look after and continue to devastate. They do not depend on the hunt for survival anymore and need to stop viewing the whale meat as a food source in order to ensure their health and the health of generations to come.

Works Cited

Brownell, Robert L. "The Plight Of The "Forgotten Whales"" Oceanus 32.1 (1989): 5-13. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Dec. 2014.

Hesselager O'Brarry, Helene. "Hear of Darkness." Earth Island Journal. Winter 2013: p. 18. SIRS Issues Reseaecher. Web. 16 Sep. 2014

Lauren. "Exotic Pets." National Geographic 2014: n. pag. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Dec. 2014.

"Let Them Eat Whales." The Spectator [London] 1 Feb. 2014: n. pag. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Dec. 2014.

Magnier, Mark. "Ole? No Way, Say Chinese." LA Times [Los Angeles] 2004: A1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Dec. 2014.

Motavalli, Jim. "Rights From Wrongs." E Magazine Mar.-Apr. 2003: 26-33. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Dec. 2014.

Scruton, Roger, and Andrew Tyler. "Do Animals Have Rights?" Ecologist Mar. 2001: 20-23. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Dec. 2014.

Waldau, Paul. Animal Rights: What Everyone Needs To Know. New York: Oxford UP, 2011. Print.