Whale

Whaling

By hmlopez

  • It Begins

    Commercial whaling begins using sailing ships and hand-thrown harpoons. Serial depletion of whale stocks begins in the Northern Hemisphere, targeting mainly the slower Right, Sperm, and Humpback whales.

  • Right whales attacked

    Depletion of North Atlantic Right Whales

  • Humpbacks attacked

    Depletion of Humpback Whales

  • New inventions made

    Introduction of diesel engines, fast catcher boats, and exploding-tipped harpoon cannons allows fast-swimming rorqual whales to be targeted for the first time. Serial depletion of species follows in an even shorter time scale than before, beginning with the largest and most profitable species to hunt.

  • Whale killing peaks

    Peak of 20th century Humpback Whale kill (hunt lasting 1900 – 1962)

  • Blue Whale Unit made

    Whaling nations adopt Blue Whale Unit (bwu) quota, encouraging hunting of larger species. This economic-based quota benefited only the whalers, and gave no consideration to the biology or population size (ie. decline) of different whale species.

  • WWII helps whales

    World War II begins. Whales earn a temporary reprieve from the slaughter.

  • WWII Ends

    World War II ends. Whaling resumes in earnest – fuelled by post-war industrial boom, new technology, and surplus ships and equipment.

  • "Whaling Olympics"

    Antarctic “whaling Olympics” race to kill whales begins, fuelled by bwu quota system and limited hunting season.
    IWC sets first species quota for Humpbacks

  • IWC struggles to help

    Whaling nations exceed humpback quota. IWC lacks enforcement.

  • Blue Whales completely protected

    IWC establishes complete protection for Blue whales.
    Pirate whalers continue to kill Blue whales, selling to the Japanese markets. IWC lacks enforcement

  • Finally no more bwu quota system

    IWC finally abolishes bwu quota system.
    UN resolution calls for 10 year whaling moratorium – rejected by IWC.

  • Norway stops

    Norway officially ends commercial whaling, but continues the hunt with a limited “scientific whaling” catch.

  • Iceland leaves

    Iceland leaves the IWC.

  • Japan tries to bribe

    Japan bribes many small countries to vote with it at the IWC, seeking to overturn the Moratorium on commercial whaling by any means it can.

  • Whaling begins again

    In addition to Minke, Bryde’s and Sperm whales, Hunt of endangered Fin, Sei, and Humpback whales begins again.

  • Doesn't stop, for now

    Japan carries out its expanded ‘scientific’ whaling programme, despite wide international condemnation