FISHERY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES, 1939 547 
WHALING ** 
A total of 2,196 whales were processed by United States firms during 
the 1938-39 whaling season. Of these, 173 were taken off Alaska 
during the months from June to October 1938; 917 were captured off 
West Australia during the same period; and 1,106 were taken in the 
Antarctic durmg the months from December 1938 to March 1939. 
Four companies were licensed by the United States to engage in 
whaling during the 1938-39 season; however, only three operated. 
These consisted of one shore station in Alaska and two factory ships, 
one of which operated off West Australia and the other in the Antarc- 
tic. A scarcity of whales, fewer operating units, and more stringent 
restrictions governing whaling contributed to a decreased catch during 
the 1938-39 season as compared with that of the previous year when 
5,198 whales were processed. 
Prior to December 20, 1938, under the joint regulations of the 
Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Commerce, there was a 
35-foot limit on humpback whales, a 50-foot limit on finback whales, 
and a 60-foot limit on blue whales. However, whaling regulations 
approved December 20, 1938, pursuant to the June 8, 1937, London 
Agreement, increased the size limit on blue whales to 70 feet, finback 
whales to 55 feet, and established a 35-foot limit on sperm whales. 
Only whaling in the Antarctic was affected by the new regulations, as 
the season had closed in Australia and Alaska before the adoption of 
these measures. 
On June 24, 1938, representatives of several nations, including those 
of the United States, meeting in London, agreed to a Protocol to the 
Agreement of June 8, 1937. This Protocol, proclaimed by the Presi- 
dent April 8, 1939, afforded further protection to whales, and at the 
same time permitted smaller size limits on blue, sperm, and finback 
whales processed at land stations, the products of which were to be 
used for local animal or human consumption. 
Whaling, 1938-39 Season } 
OPERATING UNITS: By AREAS 



| 
Shore stations Factory ships Killer boats 
fee Ae a eee esl a See Re ae ee ET FFA RRaa lip dhe es 
Area persons 
Number ea Number} Crew |Number| Crew |&™Ployed 
J UEC Sie 26 See el De ee ee i (oY) | eatin ad | tee oe 5 58 136 
aNR OKO (ie oe ES, (ce |e eee es 1 214 8 106 320 
UVES EE ACES re TE esa ce Se “oe (pe ean be game 1 116 6 78 194 
SPO) ATi Le 2 ok een SA 2 78 2 330 19 242 650 







1 Includes the operations of shore stations, factory ships, and killer boats licensed by the United States, 
Note.—One firm in California obtained a license in 1938, but did not operate. 
15 This section was prepared by Esther E. Dodd, Law Enforcement Division. Additional information 
concerning the 1938-39 whaling season can be obtained from Bureau of Fisheries Memorandum entitled, 
“A History of Whaling with Risumé of the Whaling Industry of the United States, 1937-40.” 
