Footage of the annual bloody slaughter of more than 200 pilot whales in the the Faroe Islands in the north Atlantic has horrified the world.

The yearly event, called the grindadráp, sees locals luring the dolphins into the shore before jumping into the water and slaughtering them.

The event took place in the Danish-owned Faroe Islands yesterday.

Locals used various weapons such as harpoons and knives to kill the dolphins across two beaches, Bøur and Torshav.

They killed as many as 250 pilot whales, the Daily Mail has reported .

Locals could be seen smiling and laughing in the bloody water. (Sea Shepherd)

The bloody scenes were filmed by non-profit marine wildlife conservation group, Sea Shepherd.

Five members of the organisation were arrested trying to disrupt the slaughter.

Whaling is illegal in the European Union and Denmark.

Despite being subject to the same laws, Denmark protects the activity in the Faroe Islands.

The event went ahead despite the act of killing pilot whales being illegal in Denmark. (Sea Shepherd)

Wyanda Lublink, a sea captain from the islands, told Sea Shepherd he was sure Danish vessels were supervising the event.

“It was perfectly clear to me that the Danish Navy was present at Bøur to guard the grindadráp and that the slaughter would proceed with the full consent of the Danish Navy,” he said.

Horrified members of the public have taken to Twitter to express their outrage about the event using the hashtag #BoycottDenmark.

Comedian and frequent defender of animal rights, Ricky Gervais, also spoke out about the killings.

The hunted dolphins will be used for food.