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Difference between revisions of "Whaling"
→History of Antarctic whaling
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Although prehistoric hunting and gathering is generally considered to have had little ecological impact, early whaling in the Arctic may have altered freshwater ecology. | Although prehistoric hunting and gathering is generally considered to have had little ecological impact, early whaling in the Arctic may have altered freshwater ecology. | ||
Industrial whaling emerged with organized fleets in the 17th century, followed soon after by competitive national whaling industries in the 18th and 19th centuries. The development of modern whaling techniques was spurred in the 19th century by the increase in demand for whale oil, sometimes known as "Train Oils" and in the 20th century by a demand for margarine and later whale meat. | Industrial whaling emerged with organized fleets in the 17th century, followed soon after by competitive national whaling industries operating heavily in [[Southern Ocean|Antarctic waters]] in the 18th and 19th centuries. The development of modern whaling techniques was spurred in the 19th century by the increase in demand for whale oil, sometimes known as "Train Oils" and in the 20th century by a demand for margarine and later whale meat. | ||
In the early 20th century South Georgia Island experienced a | In the early 20th century South Georgia Island experienced a rush of economic activity and settlement. Starting in December 1904, an Argentine company, ''Compañía Argentina de Pesca'', operating on a British lease, established a base on the island and were joined by British whaling companies shortly thereafter. South Georgia soon became the world's largest whaling center, with shore bases all around the island's coastline. The nations represented included Argentina, the United Kingdom, Norway, South Africa, and Japan. | ||
During the Second World War, most of the Antarctic whaling stations were closed due to the British and Norwegian whaling factories being destroyed by German raiders, while the ships that survived were called up to serve under Allied command. | During the Second World War, most of the [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] whaling stations were closed due to the British and Norwegian whaling factories being destroyed by German raiders, while the ships that survived were called up to serve under Allied command. | ||
The introduction of factory ships along with the concept of whale harvesting by the late 1930s led to more than 50,000 whales being slaughtered annually. Consequently, whale stocks around the world became dangerously depleted and many species of whales were in danger of extinction. | The introduction of factory ships along with the concept of whale harvesting by the late 1930s led to more than 50,000 whales being slaughtered annually. Consequently, whale stocks around the world became dangerously depleted and many species of whales were in danger of extinction. | ||
==Creation of the International Whaling Commission== | ==Creation of the International Whaling Commission== | ||
[[File:Iwc-logo.png|thumb|right|IWC Logo]] | |||
International cooperation on whaling regulation began in 1931 and culminated in the signing of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) in 1946. Its aim was to: "Provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry." | International cooperation on whaling regulation began in 1931 and culminated in the signing of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) in 1946. Its aim was to: "Provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry." | ||
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==Modern whaling in Antarctic waters== | ==Modern whaling in Antarctic waters== | ||
::''Main article: [[Whaling in Japan]]'' | ::''Main article: [[Whaling in Japan]]'' | ||
The Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary was established in 1994 covering an area of 50 million square kilometers surrounding the continent of [[Antarctica]] where the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has banned all types of commercial whaling. | The [[Southern Ocean]] Whale Sanctuary was established in 1994 covering an area of 50 million square kilometers surrounding the continent of [[Antarctica]] where the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has banned all types of commercial whaling. | ||
Despite this ban and the international outcry that has resulted, Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) has continued to hunt whales inside the Sanctuary by claiming their slaughter of whales (including endangered whales) is an approved scientific activity. Japan has taken the position that while some whale species it harvests are threatened, many are not. | Despite this ban and the international outcry that has resulted, Japan's Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) has continued to hunt whales inside the Sanctuary by claiming their slaughter of whales (including endangered whales) is an approved scientific activity. Japan has taken the position that while some whale species it harvests are threatened, many are not. | ||
[[File:Whale sanctuaries.png|thumb|center|700px|Map of global whale sanctuaries]] | |||
Some conservation groups such as the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society claim Japan's whaling operations are conducted in violation of the IWC charter, arguing that Japan's self-imposed annual quota of 1000 whale kills for research is not really scientific activity, but rather a veil to cover commercial fishing operations as whale meat ends up being sold in Japanese markets. | Some conservation groups such as the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society claim Japan's whaling operations are conducted in violation of the IWC charter, arguing that Japan's self-imposed annual quota of 1000 whale kills for research is not really scientific activity, but rather a veil to cover commercial fishing operations as whale meat ends up being sold in Japanese markets. | ||