Whaler facts for kids

This picture shows whalers from the past doing their job

A whaler is a person who hunts whales. It can also mean the boat they use for hunting. In the past, people hunted whales mainly for their oil, which came from their fat, called blubber. They also used whale meat.

Why Hunt Whales?

For hundreds of years, people hunted whales for many reasons. Whale oil, made from blubber, was very important. It was used to light lamps, make soap, and even as a lubricant for machines. Whalebone, also known as baleen, was used to make things like corsets, umbrella ribs, and buggy whips. The meat was also a source of food in some cultures.

Whaling Today

Today, hunting whales is mostly banned around the world. This is because many whale species were hunted so much that they became endangered. To protect these amazing creatures, an international agreement called a treaty was created. Most countries signed this treaty, which bans the hunting of certain whale species.

A few countries, like Norway, Iceland, and Japan, still hunt whales. They often do this for scientific research. This research helps them learn more about whales and their populations.

Related Information

• Whaling

Images for kids

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  Dutch whalers near Spitsbergen, painted by Abraham Storck.

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  Harpoon ships of the Icelandic whaling fleet in port.