From ancient coastal hunts to global industrial fleets, the history of whaling spans millennia.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Whaling is not merely a modern industry but an ancient practice dating back to at least 6000 BCE. Once essential for lighting cities and lubricating the machines of the Industrial Revolution, the hunt for whales evolved from simple shore-based drives to complex, global maritime expeditions that reshaped international borders.

Humanity has engaged in whaling since prehistoric times, with evidence of early hunting found at the Neolithic Bangudae site in Korea and in archaeological findings dating back to at least 1000 BCE. Early methods were largely coastal, such as the dolphin drive, where boats herded animals toward the shore, or the use of drogues—buoyant objects like inflated sealskins attached to harpoons—to tire the prey. By the 16th century, Basque whalers had established sophisticated operations in Newfoundland, processing whale oil in stations and trading products like baleen, which was used for items ranging from corset stays to knife handles.

The 17th century saw a dramatic escalation in whaling as European powers, including England, the Netherlands, and Denmark, competed for control of lucrative grounds near Spitsbergen. This era was marked by intense international conflict, with nations deploying men-of-war to secure harbors and protect their stations. The Dutch eventually established Smeerenburg, a central hub for their operations. By the 1630s, the Dutch began transitioning from shore-based bay whaling to pelagic whaling in the open sea, a shift that allowed them to process blubber upon returning to port rather than relying on coastal stations.

By the 19th century, the United States emerged as the preeminent whaling nation, with New Bedford and Nantucket serving as key ports. American whalers targeted sperm whales for their valuable spermaceti, a waxy substance used for high-quality candles, and ranged across the globe to the Pacific and Japan. However, the industry faced decline due to the rise of kerosene as a superior lighting fuel and the depletion of whale populations. Despite the 1986 International Whaling Commission moratorium on commercial whaling, some nations continue the practice today, while indigenous groups maintain traditional subsistence hunts.

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