Faroese whale hunters discover tracking devices in pilot whale remains

The Faroese Whalers Association has reported finding tracking devices hidden among the remains of pilot whales after a hunt in Sandavágur last year, national broadcaster Kringvarp Føroya reports.

The devices, discovered in a box containing whale blubber, were still active and transmitting signals. Association chairman Ragnar Jacobsen confirmed the find was reported to authorities, noting it was unclear who placed the trackers or why.

“We reported this to the police just as we did with the whale protest activists,” Jacobsen said, adding that the association had no interest in monitoring where the whale products ended up. He described the discovery as “very strange” and potentially illegal.

Jacobsen also reported unusual vehicle activity near his car while transporting one of the devices, suggesting possible surveillance.

The discovery follows last year’s pilot whale hunt in Sandavágur, where meat was distributed locally and some was sent to Klaksvík and Runavík. The hunt had previously drawn attention after foreign objects were found among the whale remains at the time.