fAROE ISLANDS
The Islands and the Whales
This documentary covers the current struggles of the locals living at Danish Faroe Islands. These islands hardly contain any arable land, making it difficult to farm a large variety and quality of food. For centuries, Faroe islanders have instead relied on seabirds, whale meat, and other seafoods. As a cultural tradition, the islanders participate in an annual whale hunt called “The Grind”. However, these ways of life have been threatened by animal rights activists and decreasing environmental qualities.
In recent years there has been increasing mercury levels in whales and fish, as well as a decreasing population of seabirds. A Faroese doctor found that the increasing levels of mercury can have serious implications on the IQ of children. Additionally, the stomachs of seabirds have been found with plastics.
