Operation Living Fjords
Defending Pilot Whales and Other Dolphins in the Faroe Islands
Pilot Whale Defense Campaign
Operation Living Fjords
Sea Shepherd was first activist group in the Faroes in 1983, with further direct-action campaigns in 1985, 1986, 2000, 2011, 2014 and 2015. Then due to vessel restrictions directed at Sea Shepherd as well as new Faroese legislation preventing interventions from any activists against the grindadrap, Sea Shepherd sent land-based crew to the islands every year since 2016 to investigate, document and shine a spotlight on the reality of the hunts.
In September 2021, after the Faroese massacre of 1428 Atlantic white-sided dolphins shocked the world, Sea Shepherd teamed up with Shared Planet to form Stop the Grind, a global coalition bringing together like-minded politicians, public figures and NGOs to demonstrate broader resistance to the Grind through political, economic, and scientific means.
2026 Campaign
First Grind of the Year Shows the Faroese Are Running Out of Justifications
On May 4th, the first grind of the year was called in the Faroe Islands. It took place in Sándavágur, on the island of Vágar, where more than 125 pilot whales and a handful of Atlantic white-sided dolphins were forced into shallow waters and killed. Commentary by Valentina Crast, Faroe Islands Campaign Lead.
Latest News
The Grinds of 2026
This list will be updated as grinds are documented throughout the year:
1. May 4th: Sándavágur (more than 125 pilot whales and a handful of Atlantic white-sided dolphins)
2. May 27: Three grinds in Tórshavn, Skalabotnur and Hvalvík (402 pilot whales, 4 bottlenose dolphins, and 300 Atlantic white-sided dolphins)
Follow the latest Grind Alerts on the Sea Shepherd Føroyar FB Page