Poll: one-third support dolphin killing

Eighty-five percent of Faroese respondents in a new poll support whaling, while only a third supports dolphin killing.

In the capital region, 55 percent said they did not approve of dolphin killing, while 30 percent said they approved of it. Elsewhere in the country, the average ratio is 40/40 for and against. Between 15 and 20 percent said they were undecided.

The poll also shows clearly that citizens in the capital region eat significantly less whale meat, and fewer have ever had dolphin meat, than those in other regions.

Another notable finding is that 40 percent of those who say they support whaling do not approve of dolphin killing.

For those opposed to whaling, the main reasons are dietary advice and that killing whales is unnecessary. Twenty-five percent said they were opposed to whaling due to the negative reputation it has abroad.

The main reasons for those opposed to killing dolphins was that it is unnecessary. Forty percent of them mentioned the negative branding effect as a reason.

One-third of the respondents said they eat whale meat 2-6 times a year, while 8-9 percent said they never eat it. More women than men said they never eat whale meat.

Sixty percent of all respondents said they have eaten white-sided dolphin meat. Outside of the capital region, 66 percent said they have tried it, while the ration in Tórshavn is closer to 50/50.

The poll was conducted by spyr.fo on Wednesday evening. It is based on a random sample of 400 respondents, aged 18 or over, across the country.

Translated by prosa.fo