WHALE HUNTING WITH GUN AND CAMERA 



where American shore stations were first established, 

 is an excellent example of what will happen sooner 

 or later in every other part of the world if commer- 

 cial greed remains unchecked. In 1908, Dr. Frederic 

 A. Lucas, who from personal investigation is one of 

 the best informed students of the subject, published 

 a carefully prepared account of the Newfoundland 

 fishery and I cannot do better than quote here a por- 

 tion of his remarks. Dr. Lucas says : 



Before 1903 we have no data as to the number of whales 

 taken along the coast of Newfoundland and can only say 

 that the value of whale products rose successively from 

 $1,581, in 1898, to $36,428, in 1900, and $125,287 in 1902. 

 Making a rough estimate, based on the value of the whale 

 fishery, one may say that this represents not less than 350 

 whales, more probably about 500, since prior to 1902 the 

 waste was very great. The first whaling station in which 

 modern methods were adopted was established in 1897 and 

 its success was so great that in 1903 four others had been 

 erected and three more planned, although but three steamers 

 were then employed. R. T. McGrath in the Report of the 

 Newfoundland Department of Fisheries for 1903 gave it as 

 his opinion that no more applications for factories should 

 be granted for some years to come, saying, "Two factories 

 are about to be erected, one at Trinity and one at Bonavista 

 during the coming year. This will make eight factories in 

 all, viz., Balena, Aquaforte, Snook's Arm, Chalem Bay, Cape 

 Broyle, Bonavista and Trinity. In my opinion no further 

 applications should be granted for some years. If licenses 

 are given without restriction, it will result in complete 

 depletion of this industry within a short time ; whilst if 

 judiciously dealt with, it will be a profitable source of reve- 

 nue, and a great assistance to the laboring people of the 



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