The whales were cut up on a beach (Picture: SalvageBlue)

A pair of orcas have been slaughtered in front of shocked cruise passengers who were on a whale and dolphin watching tour.

Several boats, including one owned by Thomson Cruises, were in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines last Friday when the mammals were caught by fishermen.

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The ship captains apparently tried to avoid the area but it was too late and the killing of the two whales happened in clear view of the passengers, according to crew member Ken Isaacs.

He was on one of the boats and told iWitness News some of those on board had cried when the whales were being harpooned.




Graphic pictures obtained by MailOnline Travel then showed how the killer whales were butchered on the beach near Barrouallie, on the Caribbean island.

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The orcas were chopped into tiny pieces (Picture: SalvageBlue)

The meat is sold to locals (Picture: SalvageBlue)

British company Thomson Cruises has now cancelled its tours of the area and said it was working alongside environmentalists to solve the issue.

A spokesperson said: ‘We’re very sorry to confirm that some of our customers on a whale and dolphin watching excursion in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines witnessed a sad incident where two orcas were targeted by a local fishing boat.

‘While this distressing event was beyond our control, our excursion agents in the Grenadines are fully co-operating with the on-going investigation currently taking place with the Head of the National Trust and the Minister of the Environment.

‘This was our last planned stop at Saint Vincent and the Grenadines this season, and as a result of what happened and as we take an active approach to animal welfare we are reviewing our excursions with the relevant authorities.’

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Passengers were shocked when they saw the whales being killed (Picture: SalvageBlue)

Whaling is still legal in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The meat from the orcas is mainly consumed by locals who also benefit from Whale oil, which is used to make margarine and soap, among other things.

The images of the dead whales were taken by Adam Gravel, who is in charge of anti-whaling organisation SalvageBlue.

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