Letters / Disturbing sight
The shame should not be on Shetland here (Shetland’s shame?; SN, 03/09/15), the isles are just following international law and treaties; sadly, it is not something Shetland has much choice in.
In a slightly different vein, I believe many folk are simply appalled at the bloody spectacle of the Grind and the utter joy and revelry of the Faroese as they bleed out their prey.
It appears to be a family occasion, enjoyed immensely by all. To see even young children reveling in the slaughter is a somewhat disturbing sight to most rational people.
Most civilised societies dispatch animals as humanly as practicable, most civilised people stay as far away from slaughter as they can and would protect their children from such a spectacle.
Some food for thought: Mercury from pilot whale meat adversely affects the foetal development of the nervous system. The mercury content of pilot whale meat is high and is one of our main mercury sources – Neurotoxicology)
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1175560-overview (Methyl mercury exerts its most devastating effect onthe CNS by causing psychiatric disturbances,)
Ian Tinkler
Clousta
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