Le Nord : revue internationale des Pays de Nord - 01.06.1938, Page 128
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factories, 2 land stations and 256 catching boats, i. e. 60 more
catchers than in the previous season. That is the largest number
of catching boats ever used in the Antarctic in one season. This
whaling material has been modernized. In 1936 there were built
2 new factory ships, a tank boat was fitted up as a factory ship
and 53 new catchers were built. In 1937 there were built 4 new
factory ships, a tank boat was fitted up as a factory ship, and 54
new catchers were built. Several older factory ships have been
modernized, so that their daily capacity is increased. The new
catchers are the largest and most effective that have ever been
employed in whaling.
As a result, there has been an enormous oil production this
year. The total pelagic production in the Antarctic amounted
to 3,267,019 barrels, and if the catch off South Georgia be in-
cluded, there is a total Antarctic oil production of 3,352,019
barrels. By thirty expeditions (particulars are lacking from one
expedition) 14,555 Blue whales and 25,774 Fin whales were
killed. In the season 1937/38 there were killed altogether in the
Antarctic about 45,000 whales. The enormous increase in the
catch has in reality been effected at the expense of the Fin whale.
¥e cannot be in any doubt that this species of whale is now
being enormously over-exploited.
Unfortunately there is little ground for supposing that the
production next year will be essentially less than this year, unless
international measures are taken to regulate the whaling material
or limit the total catch-product. As already stated, six expedi-
tions (Norwegian and British) were voluntarily laid up last sea-
son. Of these at least two will take part next season. As far as is
known, Japan will put two new large expeditions into the opera-
tions. We must reckon with 35 pelagic expeditions in the Antarc-
tic next season, and if they employ the same number of catching
boats per expedition, they will be accompanied by 277 catchers.
To this must be added the two land stations in the Antarctic
with 12 catchers. It must be clear to all that such a development
in such a short time will lead to the ruin of the whaling industry.
Legislation respecting hunting has been amended in recent
years all over the world. Experts are agreed that game cannot
indefinitely be hunted recklessly. It must be protected. To ex-
ploit any kind of wild animal to such a degree that it is threatened
by extinction is vandalism. The large Baleen whales are the most