WHALING “BUCCANEERS"

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 453, 7 September 1928, Page 7

WHALING “BUCCANEERS"

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT NEEDED

NON-TERRITORIAL WATERS (THE SUS S Parliamentary reporter.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. There is a danger that the wholesale and unscientific slaughter of whales will continue in the Antarctic outside territorial waters unless an international agreement is arrived at. Meantime licensed whalers are working at a disadvantage. This was indicated in the report of the Marine Department. presented to Parliament to-day. The unlicensed whale factory. X. T. Neilson-Alonso. with her five whale-chasers, again operated in the Koss Dependency during this season, this being her second season there. The report states from information obtained she is said to have procured approximately 46.00 •* barrels of oil. but it is not known actually how many whales were taken by that factory. This unlicensed factory, which uses Hobart, Tasmania, as her base, operated continuously in proximity to the factories of Xew Zealand licensees, and she was frequentlv seen by them during the whaling season. WASTEFUL METHODS The entire season’s operations by all the whale factories were carried out beyond the territorial waters of the Ross Dependency, and mostly beyond sight of land, and therefore the unlicensed factory could not be interfered with. It was observed by tin Xew Zealand licensees that the unlicensed factory practised wasteful methods of procuring oil. When whales were in abundance many carcases were not completely utilised, but were abandoned after the blubber had been stripped from them. Xew Zealand licensees are required' to utilise in the production of oil the carcases of all whales taken, and not only the blubber. SLOW NEGOTIATIONS “The question of regulating the operations of unlicensed factories is a matter calling for international agreement,” says the report. “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. Reports have already reached this department that at least one more unlicensed factory intends to visit the Ross Dependency during the coming season.

“The royalties on whale oil procured in the Ross Sea realised a substantial increase during 1927-2 S. The following statement shows the revenue received each year since the dependency has been under Xew Zealand’s administration: —1923-24, £200; 1924-25. £200; 1925-26. £1,720; 1926-27, £2,921: 1927-28, £7,176 15s. For the last whaling season it is anticipated the royalties, etc., will amount to approximately £13,000.