The traditional hunt, called grindadráp, is a Faroese tradition dating back to Viking times. It involves chasing long-finned pilot whales deep into the bay with boats and killing them with harpoons. This cruel event takes place every year during July and August. Entire families, even small children, participate. Between 600 and 1000 long-finned pilot whales are killed each year (the infamous record is 1400 long-finned pilot whales).
This is not for economic reasons, as it was centuries ago, but only for tradition. The killing of long-finned pilot whales has sparked outrage around the world. Recently, a compromise has been reached that no more than 500 may be killed.
