THE SPERM WHALE 163 



sexually, leave the females at the height of the pairing season and migrate alone into 

 high latitudes, later returning to temperate waters and joining the general movement 

 of the schools towards the equator during winter. 



The Sperm whale is not an important constituent of the world catch of whales, and 

 forms a considerable portion of the catch in only a few places. Because this species is 

 polygamous, and because the larger bulls segregate themselves during their solitary 

 migration into high latitudes, the unrestricted capture of Sperm whales north and south 

 of latitudes 40° N and 40° S respectively would be unlikely to affect adversely the world 

 stock of Sperm whales, provided all Sperm whales between those latitudes were pro- 

 tected. The Sperm whale appears to be the species of whale which, owing to its habits, 

 is the most suitable for exploitation on rational lines such as these. It is, however, at 

 present of little economic importance. The International Agreement signed in 1937 

 will give almost complete protection to the cows. 



