The threat of extinction – South Georgia Museum

Save the Whale protest London, 1981 Giant inflatable Whale. Friends of the Earth campaign for an end to the commercial whaling threatening the extinction of whales. Protests such as these were held all over the world. *© NLA/reportdigital.co.uk*

WHY HAVE PERCEPTIONS OF WHALE CHANGED IN POPULAR CULTURE?

In only a few decades, we have gone from shooting whales (with harpoons), to shooting whales (on film). Once a global industry, now only a handful of countries continue commercial whaling. Today, much of the world believes that commercial whaling is a barbaric and outdated practice. Instead, people are choosing to engage with whales through whale-watching tours and conservation efforts.

Whale knocking fishermen out of the water (oil on canvas) by French School, (19th century). *Private Collection; Archives Charmet; out of copyright.*

Whales are held in high regard for their intelligence. Viewed as wondrous, spiritual creatures, they represent many different things to many different people. However, they were once seen as symbols of doom – thought of as powerful creatures who could sink ships with their tails.

Humpback Whale and calf filmed in South Georgia's waters in 2025. © British Antarctic Survey – Wild Water Whales / Hungry Humpbacks project.

Save the Whales 35th Anniversary sticker. In 1975, Greenpeace launched the world’s first anti-whaling campaign. In 2010 this sticker was distributed by Greenpeace during an Earth Day rally. More than 45 years later, Greenpeace continues its efforts. *Image: © Smithsonian*

These views began to change with conservation efforts throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Failures in international regulations on whaling left whale numbers depleted in the oceans. Environmental organisations and activists formed anti-whaling campaigns – most notable was Greenpeace’s “Save the Whales” movement. Greenpeace, and perhaps more famously Sea Shepherd, used radical direct action to protest against the hunting of whales. Whales were also featured in television, film and documentaries. The mammals became a symbol of conservation campaigns.