WHALING IN ROSS SEA

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1928, Page 1

WHALING IN ROSS SEA

ROYALTIES INQREASE, UNLICENSED FACTORY PROBLEM '* An abundance of whales during this season enabled the factories to complete their operations and depart from the Ross Dependency before unfavourable weather conditions or a shortage of whales occurred. This would seem to show that whales have not become unduly depleted, hut it is not an indication that the next will not be a lean season, or that whales may be scarce in Ross Dependency and more plentiful at other Antarctic whaling grounds. This season’s operations in the Falkland Island Dependency do not show the abundance of whales in our dependency to hnvo adversely influenced whaling operations in that portion of the Antarctic,” states the annual report of the Marine Department. “Reports have already reached the Department that at least one more unlicensed factory intends to visit the Ross Dependency during the coming season, doubtless owing to the success of last season’s operations. If this eventuates licensees will ho faced with further competition such as may cause their operations to become unprofitable. This will be unfortunate, but pending an international agreement being accomplished wo shall bo unable to extend to our licensees any protection whatsoever, provided the unlicensed factories continue to operate as they have already done, that is, confine their operations without the territorial waters of Ross Dependency. Experience of past seasons shows the most profitable whaling operations to be those carried out beyond the territorial waters and mostly beyond sight of land. The entire season’s operations by all whale factories were carried out beyond the territorial waters of Ross Dependency, and mostly beyond sight of land, therefore the unlicensed' factory could not he interfered with. It was observed by mulicensees that the unlicensed factory practised wasteful methods of proemjug oil, and when whales were in abundance many carcases were not completely utilised, but were abandoned after the blubber had been stripped from them. Our licensees are required to utilise the carcases of all whales taken, and not only the blubber, in the production of oil. therefore licensees have to compete unfairly, that is, to carry out their whaling operations in competition with an unlicensed factory , upon which restrictions cannot be imposed. “The question of regulating the operations of unlicensed factories is a matter calling for international agreement, and overtures in this direction have already been made, but it would appear that some time must elapse before complete agreement in this direction will be achieved.” The royalties on whale oil procured in Ross Sea realised a substantial increase during 1027-28. The following statement shows the revenue received each year since the dependency has I,ecu under the Department’s administration : SEi ” ;S:g ::::::::::::::::::::: S 1927-28 ! For last whaling season it is anticipated that the royalties will amount to approximately .11*1,000.