whaler

A whaler is a person who hunts whales or a vessel used for whaling. Whalers typically engage in pursuit, capture, and processing of whales; in traditional open-boat whaling crews relied on small boats and hand-thrown harpoons, while later eras saw larger ships and onboard processing facilities.

Historically, large-scale commercial whaling emerged in the 17th through 19th centuries, especially in the Atlantic and Pacific. Whalemen pursued species such as sperm whales, right whales, and later rorquals. Innovations included hand-thrown and darting harpoons, whaleboats, and, in the industrial era, steam-powered ships and factory processing ships that separated oil and baleen on long voyages.

Regulation and decline have shaped the modern era. Overexploitation led to significant stock declines, prompting global cooperation through the International Whaling Commission (IWC), established in 1946. In 1986 the IWC imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling, though some nations continue under quotas, indigenous subsistence whaling, or scientific permits. Whaling remains controversial due to conservation concerns, animal welfare considerations, and debates over cultural heritage and economic necessity.

Contemporary status varies by region. Most whaling activity today operates under national regulations with limited quotas, often tied to cultural heritage or subsistence needs. Ongoing whaling occurs in a few areas with exemptions or special permits, while many former whaling economies have shifted to other fisheries or tourism. The term continues to denote both the workers who hunt and the vessels that carry out whaling operations, within a broader conversation about marine conservation and resource management.