ANTARCTIC WHALING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 16 April 1929, Page 5

ANTARCTIC WHALING

NEW ENTERPRISE Mr Lars Christensen, of Sandefjord, Norway, recently stated that the adoption of deep-sea whaling had attracted many new enterprises, the starting of which would have been more or less impossible under the old method of working, in view of the limited number of concessions in British areas. On. the other hand, states “The Times” correspondent at Copenhagen, provided the ships keep outside the three-mile-limit, whaling may be carried on without special permission from foreign Governments. Deep-sea whaling had been most advantageous to Norway, but some risks are involved in the very great extension that has taken place. In the 1929-30 season the whaling fleet will be about double that of 1927-28, the comparative numbers of Norwegian and foreign whalers operating in. the Antarctic Sea being 148 in 1929-30, against 114 in 1928-29 and 80 in 1927-28. In the most recent figure are comprised the boats of the companies actually working and those of new concerns that have secured the necessary capital. Not only has the number of vessels increased, but their capacity has been augmented, and the question now arises how long will the schools of whales last. It is impossible to answer this question, but it is certain that the stock is limited, and that if killing proceeds at the present rate the consequences will soon he obvious. In the opinion of the “Times” correspondent profits derived from whaling are much exaggerated. During the last four years the Norwegian companies operating in. the Antarctic have paid an average annual dividend to their shareholders of about 15 per cent. But a couple of had seasons may mean a serious loss, and even a relatively slight fall in the price of whale oil may result in a severe decline in the gross income of a Company. The total yield from Norwegian, whaling for 1928. that is the winter season 1927-28 and the summer season, 1928, was 870.000 casks of oil, of an estimated value of about £4.010.000. For the ..previous season the production was 705,000 casks, value about £3.070,000. The average value per cask rose from about £4 8s in 1927 to about £4 12s in 1928, whereas in 19*26 the average value was over £6.