Damon Mcknight
Whaling in Australia began in 1791 and went on to become a major maritime industry, contributing export products worth £4.2 million by 1850. However, commercial whaling brought many whale species to the brink of extinction, and in 1978, a government inquiry into the industry resulted in a ban on whaling in Australia. Since then, Australia has been a global leader in whale conservation and has actively advocated for the protection of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) through international bodies such as the International Whaling Commission (IWC). While whaling is illegal in Australia, the threat of commercial whaling persists in other parts of the world, and Australia continues to play a crucial role in ensuring the recovery and protection of whale populations globally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is whaling illegal in Australia? | Yes |
| Year whaling began in Australia | 1791 |
| Year whaling was banned in Australia | 1978 |
| Year Australia adopted an anti-whaling policy | 1979 |
| Year commercial whaling was banned globally | 1986 |
| Number of whales killed globally each year | 1,000-1,500 |
| Countries that continue to hunt whales | Japan, Norway, Iceland |
| Number of nations that approved the loophole to allow nations to kill whales for scientific research | 88 |
| Year Japan's Antarctic whaling program was ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice | 2014 |
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What You'll Learn
Whaling in Australia was banned in 1978
The history of whaling in Australia can be traced back to the arrival of European colonists. British whalers and sealers began operating from Sydney soon after European settlement commenced in 1788. However, it is important to note that whales also played a significant role in the lives of coastal Aboriginals in pre-colonial Australia. While there is no known history of Aboriginal communities actively hunting whales, they would feast on discarded whale carcasses after colonists removed the blubber. Some Aboriginal men even served on whaling boats and lookout posts.
The development of modern whaling techniques in the late 19th century, such as harpoon guns and iron-hulled catchers, led to large-scale commercial whaling and the over-exploitation of many whale species. By the 20th century, whale numbers had plummeted, and laws were passed to protect certain species. The southern right whale, for example, was protected in Australian waters in 1935 after its population declined significantly. Despite these efforts, the whaling industry continued to threaten whale populations, and the Australian government's inquiry in 1978 ultimately led to the ban on whaling in the country.
Since the ban, Australia has been a global leader in whale conservation and has actively advocated for the protection of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) internationally. Australia has been a strong supporter of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and its efforts to regulate whaling activities. Additionally, Australia has played a key role in the Southern Ocean Research Partnership (SORP), which aims to develop non-lethal scientific methods for studying whales and maximizing conservation outcomes. Australia's commitment to whale protection has contributed to the recovery of whale populations, with species like the southern right whale showing signs of recovery in recent years.
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Whaling was a major industry in Australia
Whaling was Australia's first major industry, with thousands of men and hundreds of ships eventually involved in the trade. The industry began in 1791 when five of the 11 ships in the Third Fleet landed their passengers and freight at Sydney Cove and then left Port Jackson to engage in whaling and seal hunting off the coast of Australia and New Zealand.
Whaling was an essential part of the New South Wales economy and culture, providing 52% of exports in 1832. Whale oil and bone products were ideal commodities for the new colony as they were high-value items that could survive months at sea. The colony of New South Wales had a great need for whale products, especially from sperm whales, for food, soap, and oil for lamps and machines.
The peak of Australian whaling activity was between 1820 and 1855, with up to 1,300 men working in the industry each year. By 1855, however, the whaling industry had declined, providing less than 1% of exports. This was due to the discovery of gold in Australia in 1851, which led to sailors deserting their ships to become miners, and the replacement of whale oil with petroleum.
The development of harpoon guns, explosive harpoons, and steam-driven whaling boats in the late 19th century led to the over-exploitation of many whale species, causing their numbers to plummet in the 20th century. A government inquiry in 1978 resulted in a ban on whaling in Australia and a commitment to whale protection. The last whaling station in Australia closed in 1978, and in 1979, Australia adopted an anti-whaling policy, permanently ending whaling in Australian waters.
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Aboriginal communities did not hunt whales
Whaling in Australian waters began in 1791, with the hunting of right and sperm whales. However, there is no known history of Aboriginal communities in Australia hunting whales. While whales played a significant role in the lives of coastal Aboriginals in pre-colonial Australia, there is no record of traditional hunting methods being used to target these marine mammals. Instead, rock art and engravings indicate the importance of beached or drift whales as an occasional food source.
While Aboriginal Australians did not engage in whaling, they held whales in high regard. Whales were totem animals for some clans in Western Australia, and their significance extended to eastern Australia, as evidenced by rock art in New South Wales. The discovery of a dead whale was a significant event for coastal Aboriginal communities, and they would gather to feast on the carcass.
Although Aboriginal communities in Australia did not actively hunt whales, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) recognises the cultural and nutritional importance of whaling for indigenous communities in other parts of the world. The IWC allows aboriginal groups to engage in subsistence whaling, which is separate from commercial whaling and not subject to the same moratorium. This type of whaling is intended to meet the cultural, subsistence, and nutritional requirements of indigenous peoples, with strict reporting and conservation measures in place.
In summary, while Aboriginal communities in Australia did not hunt whales, they held whales in high regard and utilised beached or discarded whale carcasses as a food source. The IWC's recognition of aboriginal subsistence whaling in other regions highlights the importance of balancing cultural practices with whale conservation efforts.
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Whaling products were used for oil and perfumes
Whaling has been a part of human culture for thousands of years, with evidence of the practice dating back at least 8,000 years in Korea. The earliest whalers hunted whales for subsistence and cultural reasons, and the meat was an occasional food source for coastal Aboriginals in pre-colonial Australia. However, the Industrial Revolution brought about a sharp increase in whaling, as the growing human population and expanding industry relied on the properties of whale oil.
Whale oil was used for illumination, as fuel for lamps, and in the production of lubricants, candles, perfumes, and soaps. The process of whaling became more industrialised, with large-scale whaling endangering many whale species and driving them close to extinction. The development of harpoon guns, explosive harpoons, and steam-driven whaling boats in the late 19th century made commercial whaling more efficient and contributed to the over-exploitation of whale species.
In addition to whale oil, other whaling products were also valuable. Baleen, also known as whalebone, was used in various industries, including fashion, for items like corsets, collars, hat brims, dresses, and more. Ambergris, a waxy substance produced by sperm whales, was also prized by perfume makers as a fixative to prolong the scent of perfumes. It was also used as an aphrodisiac and added to beverages.
The commercialisation of whaling had a severe impact on whale populations, and conservation efforts began in the 20th century. Australia banned whaling in 1978 and has since been a leader in advocating for international whale protection. While some whale populations are showing signs of recovery, the threat of commercial whaling and other human activities still endanger these majestic creatures.
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Australia advocates for whale conservation
Australia has been a global advocate for whale conservation since the end of its whaling activities in 1979. The country has a long history of whaling, with the industry beginning in 1791 and becoming a major maritime industry that employed thousands of men and contributed significantly to exports. However, by the 20th century, whale populations had declined, and laws were passed to protect certain species.
In 1978, a government inquiry into the whaling industry resulted in a ban on whaling in Australia and a commitment to whale protection. This led to the closure of the country's last whaling station, marking the end of commercial whaling in Australia. Since then, Australia has actively promoted whale conservation on a global scale.
Australia has been a strong supporter of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and its efforts to regulate and ban whaling. The country has worked through the IWC to uphold the international ban on commercial whaling and expose illegal hunts. Australia led a landmark resolution in 2016 that was approved by 88 nations to narrow the loophole that allowed nations to kill whales for scientific research. Additionally, Australia is the initiator and a strong supporter of the IWC's Southern Ocean Research Partnership (SORP), which aims to maximise conservation outcomes for Southern Ocean cetaceans through non-lethal scientific research methods.
Australia has also been vocal in its opposition to whaling activities by other nations, particularly Japan. The Australian government has criticised Japan's whaling program in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters, with the International Court of Justice ruling in 2014 that the program violated international law. Australia has called for an end to commercial and 'scientific' whaling and has promoted whale conservation through various international platforms.
Despite the progress made, the threat of commercial whaling and other dangers, such as accidental strikes, plastic pollution, and entanglement in nets, still persist. Australia continues to play a crucial role in advocating for whale conservation and the establishment of new whale sanctuaries to protect critical habitats and provide safe spaces for whales to breed and mature.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, whaling has been illegal in Australia since 1978.
A government inquiry in 1978 found that many whale species were over-exploited and near extinction. This led to the ban on whaling in Australia and a commitment to whale protection.
Since the ban on commercial whaling in 1986, many whale populations have begun to recover. The southern right whale, which was nearly extinct by the middle of the 19th century, is now showing signs of recovery.
Australia is a strong advocate for whale conservation and has been working through the International Whaling Commission to uphold the ban and expose illegal hunts. Australia led a landmark resolution in 2016 to narrow the loophole that allows nations to kill whales for scientific research.
Whaling in Australian waters began in 1791 and became a major maritime industry, providing work for thousands of men. In the 19th and 20th centuries, commercial whaling brought many whale species to the brink of extinction. Australia ceased whaling in 1979 and has since been a global leader in whale conservation.
