Dear Sir,
I write to express my extreme concern about the slaughter of hundreds of pilot whales within your jurisdiction carried out yearly by wealthy islanders who have no subsistence need for whale meat.
I am horrified that this hunt is conducted in the name of 'tradition'. It is known as a 'grind' and it is horrifically cruel, using fishing boats to drive North Atlantic and migratory North Sea Pilot whales into shore and roping and hauling on them until they beach themselves, then sawing at their heads with long knives, severing their spines, and letting them bleed to death.
Aside from the fact that the number of North Atlantic long-finned pilot whales is unknown and they are listed as 'strictly protected' by the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, this is an act of barbarism and pointlessness. By slaughtering 100's of whales at a time, the Faroese are wiping out entire pods and family groups. They are removing building blocks from the gene pool of the species and damaging the web of life in the North Atlantic and the North Sea.
I understand that the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientist have issued a warning to people in the Faroe Islands not to eat pilot whale because of the significant threat to human health posed by the pollutants found in the meat and blubber. Why, therefore, are these hunts allowed to continue when the resulting products are a danger to consumers?
I urge you to listen to what is said and end the hunting of pilot whales in the Faroe Islands.
I will boycott the Faroese, your country and it's exports, and I will advise my friends, family and clients to do the same until you stop this outrageous abuse of marine animals in your waters.
Yours Sincerely,
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