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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 operating heavily in [[ | 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 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. | 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. | ||