South Georgia was once a hub for the global whaling industry. For over six decades, the waters surrounding the island were the scene of intense whaling with 175,250 whales killed and processed.
The first whaling station on South Georgia was established in 1904 by Norwegian Carl Anton Larsen at Grytviken. Over the following decades, several more stations were built along the island’s coastline. The industry thrived, with South Georgia becoming the primary centre for water and land-based whaling in the southern hemisphere.
However, as the 20th century progressed, the unsustainable practices of whaling began to take a toll on whale populations. Overfishing and the depletion of whale stocks led to a significant decline in the industry’s profitability. Additionally, the development of synthetic alternatives for whale products, such as margarine and lubricants, reduced the demand for whale oil.
International efforts to protect whales also played a crucial role in the decline of whaling in South Georgia. The International Whaling Commission (IWC), established in 1946, implemented regulations to limit the number of whales that could be hunted. In 1982, the IWC introduced a moratorium on commercial whaling, which further curtailed the industry.
The final whaling operations in South Georgia ceased in 1965. Today, South Georgia is a protected territory, and efforts are underway to restore its ecosystems and conserve its wildlife. In 2024, GSGSSI extended the Marine Protected Area around South Georgia.
Whilst we may never know for sure how quickly whale populations are recovering, we do know that some species, such as the Humpback, are now flourishing.