The Islands and the Whales

In the North Atlantic archipelago of the Faroe Islands the traditional hunting of seabirds and pilot whales continues to provide food for the table, but many doubt this way of life will continue. Local species of seabirds are in catastrophic decline as plastic flotsam fills their stomachs and pilot whales are highly contaminated with mercury and PCBs. After spending thirty years studying thousands of the islands' children, local toxicologist Dr Pál Weihe reports that eating the contaminated whale meat could cause permanent cognitive impairment to children exposed in the womb, and may be linked to the islands' high rate of Parkinson's Disease, as well as other health problems. As the islanders come to terms with the health revelations, they face increasing pressure from the outside world to stop the whale hunts.