whaling

whaling

catching the whales and utilising its rich dividends is as old as can be. according to wikipedia, it is recorded in korea in 6000 bc.

but it really grew in volume when bigger ships came in which could roam about for days and months. it was a profitable business because all ita parts can be used. it provides material for making of paints and varnish; textiles and lather; candles and soap. clothing; and, of course, food. most valuable was whale oil which served as lubrcant and as lamp fuel.

the business really grew in 19^th century. of the 900 whaling ships, 735 belonged to united state only. between 1835 nd 1872, these ships reaped nearly 3,00,000 whales, an avarge of more than 7700 per year. it became the fifth largest industry of united states employing over 70,000 persons.

but then the number of whales could not keep up with the volume of catch. but the discovery of petroleum came to rescue. the united states adopted a endangered species act to save which whales survived the onslaught. The international whaling commission (iwc) introduced a global moratorium on commercial whaling in 1986 to allow populations to recover. but norway, iceland, and japan (which withdrew from the iwc), continue commercial hunting.