Greatly Increased Production

Of Whale Oil

A CABLED report from Europe during the month stated that the world’s catch of whales in 1929 was 27,566, which yielded 1,867,848 barrels of oil as compared with 23,224 whales in 1928 and 11,369 in 1920.

The Antarctic yielded 1,631,340 bar rels of oil in 1929, as against 272,817 in 1920.

Whale oil is a serious competitor of cocoanut oil, and the tremendous increase in production is seriously af fecting the demand of copra. However, as was pointed out in last issue, the present yields are not likely to be maintained, as the League of Nations has agreed to restrict the capturing of whales to those of a certain size. This measure was considered necessary to save the whale from total extermina tion.

A statement has been also made that the Imperial Conference Polar Commit tee, at present meeting in London, will shortly issue a report recommending international action for the preserva tion of whales.

Norwegian companies have been largely responsible for the development

of the industry and large fleets cruising in the Ross Sea and off the Australian coast have made valuable captures. In addition, two Australian companies were formed last year to carry out whaling in the Southern Seas, but they have not yet commenced active opera tions.

All the products of the whale are used in the manufacture of necessary commodities. The oil is the principal product, with a value exceeding the aggregate of all the other products combined.