The Modern Whaling Trade, 1904-1963

Abstract

This section of the journal provides a detailed history of the modern whaling industry, between 1904 and 1963. New techniques, new equipment, and new ships led to the complete overhaul of the traditional industry. The rapid expansion of the trade is linked to the shift in oil technology, and the repurposing of oil for soap and margarine. The section explores, in depth, new whaling techniques; new whaling areas; advances in oil technology; expanding fleets and new fishing grounds; crisis and contraction of the industry; and the sharp decline in the final years of the industry in the wake of the Second World War.

Archaeological evidence of resource utilisation of the great whales over the past two millennia: A systematic review protocol

“…Despite evidence of whales being utilised for resources (via live hunting or opportunistic scavenging of strandings) for millennia [ 60 , 61 , 64 , 65 , 80 , 91 , 95 , 97 – 99 ], the ecological and societal implications of pre-industrial whaling has only been documented on a localised scale (e.g. [ 70 , 73 , 80 , 99 – 102 ]).…”

“…The time periods between 1 CE and the present day were characterised by large-scale environmental, demographic and societal change, including (but not exclusive to), the rise and expansion of Eurasian empires [ 132 ], expansion of Arctic indigenous communities [ 43 , 46 , 75 , 133 ], societal shifts in economic practices and resource procurement worldwide (e.g., [ 134 – 137 ]), environmental fluctuations including, the Roman Warm Period, the late Antique Little Ice Age, the Medieval Climate Anomaly, the Little Ice Age, and the start of the industrial revolution [ 138 – 144 ]. Although whales were also an important global commodity from 1900 CE, whaling and whale resource use has been well-documented during this time [ 59 – 61 , 91 , 92 , 97 , 145 ] and therefore, we will not re-document this evidence.…”