SOUTH 
SOUTH ATLANTIC WHALES AND WHALING 
By Robert S. Clark, M.A., B.Sc, Lieut, R.N.V.R. 
MoDERisr whaling methods were introduced into sub-Antarctic 
seas in 1904, and operations commenced in the following yea^r at 
South Georda. So successful Avas the initial venture that several 
companies were floated, and the fishing area was extended to the 
South Shetlands, the South Orkneys, and as far as 67'' S. along 
the western coast of Graham Land. This area lies within the 
Dependencies of the Falkland Islands, and is under the control of 
the British Government, and its geographical position offers ex- 
ceptional opportunities for the successful prosecution of the in- 
dustry by providing a sufficient number of safe anchorages and 
widely separated islands, where shore stations have been estab- 
lished. The Dependencies of the Falkland Islands He roughly 
within latitude 50° and 65° S. and longitude 25° and 70° W-, 
and include the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, South Sandwich, 
South Orkney, and South Shetland Islands, and part of Graham 
Land. 
The industry is prosperous, and the products always find a 
ready market. In this sub-Antarctic area alone, the resulting 
products more than doubled the world's supply. The total value 
of the Falkland Island Dependencies in 1913 amounted to £1,252,432, 
in 1914 to £1,300,978, in 1915 to £1,333,401, and in 1916 to £1,774,570. 
This has resulted chiefly from the marketing of whale-oil and the by- 
product guano, and represents for each total a season's capture of 
several thousand whales. In 1916 the number of whales captured 
in this area was 11,860, which included 6000 for South Georgia alone. 
Whale-oil, which is now the product of most economic value in 
the whahng industry, is produced in four grades (some companies 
adding a fifth). These are Nos. 0, I, II, III, IV, which in 1913 
sold at £24, £22, £20, and £18 respectively per ton, net weight, 
barrels included (there are six barrels to a ton). The 1919 
prices have increased to 
£72 10s. per ton (barrels included) less 2J per cent. 
£68 per ton (barrels included) less 2| per cent. 
£65 ,5 9> J> " ?5 
£63 ,5 ,3 it 9t 9i 99 99 
856 
