The origins and character of ‘aboriginal subsistence’ whaling: a global review

Abstract

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) recognizes aboriginal subsistence whaling to be distinct from commercial whaling, and these two broad categories of whaling are subject to different management approaches. This paper describes recent, ongoing and likely future whale hunts that qualify, or may qualify, for aboriginal subsistence status within the IWC’s management framework. To ensure conservation of the whale populations, a forthright exposition of the origins, development and character of these hunts is needed in addition to stock assessment, a risk‐averse catch limit algorithm and appropriate mechanisms within the whaling communities to ensure compliance. The hunts for Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus) and Gray Whales (Eschrichtius robustus) in the Arctic and North Pacific, respectively, and Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in Indonesia have long histories and local origins. Those for Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Lesser Antilles and at Tonga in the South Pacific were introduced by foreign commercial whalers. Whale hunting in the Philippines appears to have originated both locally and as a result of foreign influence. The relatively recent initiation of whaling for Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and Minke Whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in Greenland required introduced technology but can be viewed as a modern adaptation of an ancient tradition. Consensus in deciding how to classify and manage non‐industrial whaling has been, and will remain, elusive. Even with common definitions of key terms such as ‘subsistence’, ‘commercial’ and ‘aboriginal’, interpretations will depend on whether one’s priorities are whale‐centred or human‐centred.

Emptying the Oceans: A Summary of Industrial Whaling Catches in the 20th Century

“…These include the native operations for humpback whales at St. Vincent and West Greenland, as well as catches of bowhead whales by Alaska natives, and takes of gray whales by the native people of Chukotka (Russia) (Reeves, 2002).…”

Population structure of South Pacific humpback whales and the origin of the eastern Polynesian breeding grounds

“…A general lack of interest by whalers in the presence of humpback whales seems unlikely, as humpback whales were an economic, although less desirable, alternative to more valuable sperm whales (Bannister & Hedley 2001). In other ports of the South Pacific, detailed descriptions exist of whalers engaged in hunting for sperm whales and subsequently turning their attention to humpback whales in winter (Reeves 2002), as depicted by Bullen (1902) in his account of whaling near the Tongan islands of Vava'u.…”

The International Management of Aboriginal Whaling

“…Moreover, Reeves (2002), has commented about IWC's contemporary difficulties in managing aboriginal whaling, noting ". .…”

“…the distinction between commercial and subsistence remains crude and ambiguous." Nevertheless, IWC has had some practical experience sorting out these differences, if only politically, rejecting STCW as meeting the aboriginal criteria in 1988 but accepting as doing so the Bequian hunt in 1987 and the Makah Indian Tribe's hunt for gray whales off Washington State in 1997 (IWC, 1998), although not without controversy in the latter case (Reeves, 2002).…”

“…(In his exhaustive review of the origins and nature of the ongoing aboriginal hunts, Reeves (2002) identified 12 such whaling operations, of which the International Whaling Commission (IWC) currently manages five: West Greenland; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Northern Alaska, USA; Chukotka, Russia; Washington State, USA). Many of these subsistence hunts took species such as bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), gray (Eschrictius robustus), and humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), whales that subsequently became the targets of commercial operations, especially during the early days when sailing vessels were used.…”