We Are All Whalers

This exhibition draws inspiration from the powerfully titled book We Are All Whalers by Michael J. Moore. Moore writes about ‘the plight of whales and our responsibility’. Humans have been hunting whales for thousands of years. In the Southern Oceans, their plight was intensified with industrial whaling in the 20th century, which almost led to their extinction. Only now are they beginning to recover but their populations are still vulnerable. Today they face new dangers, threats from commercial fishing and shipping, and a changing climate.

We must ask ourselves: What is our responsibility?

Our exhibition invites you to reflect on the past, consider the struggles of the present, and envision a future where South Georgia’s whales thrive – we have the collective power to conserve these ocean ecosystems.

South Georgia’s history is closely intertwined with the history of whaling. At the start of the 20th century, South Georgia became a key location for modern whaling in the Southern Ocean. The abundance of whales, particularly Blue Whales and Fin Whales, drew whalers to the area.

For centuries, whaling was integral to the livelihoods of many coastal communities, providing not only sustenance but also materials for tools, oil, and trade. However, a shortage of food after World War I and II and a rise in convenience foods utilising whale oil, led to the industrialisation of whaling. This relentless pursuit decimated whale populations, ecosystems were disrupted, and the intricate balance of marine life was threatened. The near extinction of several species had significant environmental consequences and raised ethical questions about human exploitation of nature.

For most of us, the image of whaling promotes negative feelings. Yet most humans enjoy products from commercial fisheries, and nearly all benefit from global shipping routes, moving consumer goods. Fisheries can lethally entangle whales. Ship collisions can kill them too. Our consumer demand monetises these industries.

We must learn from the mistakes of the past. The decline of whale populations serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked exploitation. It highlights the importance of sustainable practices and the need for international cooperation in conservation efforts.

Today, the legacy of industrial whaling informs our approach to marine conservation. By understanding the past, we can make informed decisions that support the recovery of whale populations and the future health of our oceans.

One Fin Whale and five Blue Whales alongside factory ship 1928-1929. *Image: discoveryinvestigations.ac*

The past

South Georgia is located in the sub-Antarctic waters of the South Atlantic, where modern whaling techniques were introduced in the early 20th century.

By 1900, historical and modern whaling had drastically reduced populations of baleen whales across much of the North and South Atlantic and North Pacific.

Norwegian whaling Captain, Carl Anton Larsen, first visited South Georgia in 1892 while searching for new whaling sites. He determined that the wealth of whales, made South Georgia a promising location for whaling. Whaling began in Cumberland Bay in December 1904.

South Georgia quickly became a central location for industrial whaling. In total, over 176,000 whales were killed during 62 years of whaling operations at South Georgia, contributing to an estimated two million taken in Antarctic waters. Industrial whaling throughout the 20th century led to the collapse of many large baleen whale populations in the Southern Hemisphere.

THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE

Despite a history of exploitation, there are encouraging signs of recovery for some whale species, since the end of commercial whaling in 1986. The southwest Atlantic Humpback Whale population is estimated to be over 93% recovered. A 2019 survey estimated that there were 12,103 Humpback Whales using South Georgia waters. They were rare even in the 1990s.

While there are positive signs of recovery, the future of whales in South Georgia remains uncertain. Climate change is impacting the abundance and distribution of Antarctic Krill, the primary food source for baleen whales. Human activities, such as fishing and shipping, continue to pose threats to whales in South Georgia.

Pathways to raising awareness include:

Educational initiatives: Educational programmes and materials can inform the public about the history of whaling, the recovery of whale populations, and the ongoing threats they face.
Responsible tourism: Whale watching can be a valuable tool for raising awareness and promoting conservation. Guidelines and regulations for responsible whale watching practices can minimise disturbance to whales and their habitats.
Scientific research: Continued research is essential for monitoring whale populations, understanding their habitat use, and assessing the impacts of climate change and other threats.

By raising awareness and implementing effective conservation measures, we can help to safeguard the future of these magnificent creatures in South Georgia.

Michael J Moore. *Photo courtesy of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.*

Thanks and acknowledgements

The title “We are all Whalers” is derived from a book of the same name, authored by Michael J Moore. He first visited the South Georgia Museum in 1997 while studying Southern Right Whales around the island. He was a founding Trustee of the South Georgia Heritage Trust, securing the initial funding for the Habitat Restoration program. He remains a founding Trustee of the Friends of South Georgia Island and an Emeritus Scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

The past

THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE

Thanks and acknowledgements

Click through the different chapters to explore the story

We are all whalers

The Threat of Extinction

The Rise of Industrial Whaling

The Environmental Impact of Whaling

A Commitment to the Future

Further reading and resources