The annual whale hunting festival held in Faroe Island saw the killing of23 pilot whales for their meat and blubber. Charity Sea Shepherd UK documented these killings in the Hvalvik Bay on Friday.

Denmark’s Faroe Islands Observes Grindadrap Tradition of Mass Whale Killing on Environment Day
Inhabitants of Faroe Islands catch and slaughter pilot whales during the traditional 'Grindadrap' near Sandur on Sandoy island on 5 June, 2012. REUTERS

The tradition is called 'grind' turned the sea red with blood. This was the 10th such whale hunt in Faroe this year, with 536 pilot whales slaughtered in total. The whale meat is supplied to the remote Atlantic population. The Faroes have justified the tradition saying it is sustainable and regulated by law.

The mammals were brought near the shore and then killed inhumanely. According to reports, an unborn calf was cut out from mother's womb. A small foetus was also removed.

Does Solvang know that Denmark is killing whales in the Faroes?? @LarsLose @CityofSolvang @DanishVillage @IPC_DK pic.twitter.com/yFmKYsKbje

— Sea Shepherd Seattle (@SeaShepSeattle) August 7, 2016

The Sea Shepherd UK crew filmed the entire event. The Sun quoted the charity spokesman saying, "Grind participants ran cheering into the pod to start attaching ropes and pulling individuals out to begin slaughtering." The tradition appears to have turned into a tourist attraction as passerbys stop on their way to snap photos of the event.