MSC 350 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Caribbean Monk Seal, International Whaling Commission, Marine Mammal
23 Nov 2016
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Long history of exploitation: most species have been exploited, decreased populations, extinction, endangered, changing human perspectives and attitudes. Framework to protect them: indigenous exploitation. Largely in areas with no other food resources. Very valuable to these populations lots of protein, can sustain many, lots of fat, can be easy prey, can be taken by opportunity during stranding, can provide warmth by fur and blubber, cultural significance. Sea lions, seals, and near shore cetaceans the most hunted by. Small scale whaling (1700-1800) indigenous: first depleted stocks in 1600s scale hunting, sea otters, fur seals, hooded seals, elephant seals and walruses. Better to take out a family than one member each from many. Large scale whaling (mid 1800s) families: advances in fishing and boating. Cannon fired explosives, head harpoon, harpoon gun. Before: whalers had to attach whale to boat and then drag it to shore before catching more. Allowed boats to bring whale on board, process the whale there, and keep hunting.
