Right whales carry a name rooted in a darker chapter of human history. This designation directly reflects past interactions with commercial whalers, who considered them the “right” ones to hunt. It highlights specific traits that made them exceptionally vulnerable to exploitation.
A History of Whaling
The era of commercial whaling saw intense pursuit of whales for their valuable products, fueling industries across continents. Early whaling efforts date back to the 11th century, with Basque whalers pioneering techniques in the Bay of Biscay. As local populations dwindled, their expeditions expanded across the Atlantic, reaching North American waters by the mid-1500s. This burgeoning industry was driven by significant economic demand for whale oil (for lighting and lubrication) and baleen (a flexible material for manufactured goods).
Whalers targeted species that offered the greatest return on their dangerous endeavors. Ease of capture and processing determined which whales became primary targets for sailing fleets. This pursuit gradually pushed many whale populations to the brink of collapse. Relentless hunting pressure identified certain species as particularly desirable.
Characteristics That Made Them “Right”
Several distinct biological and behavioral traits made right whales the preferred target for whalers, earning them their name. These large mammals exhibit a slow swimming speed, around 1.3 kilometers per hour (0.7 knots), making them easy to approach and harpoon from small boats. Their docile nature contributed to their vulnerability, as they did not shy away from approaching vessels.
A significant characteristic was their high blubber content, up to 45% of their body weight. This thick layer of fat provided exceptional buoyancy, causing their carcasses to float after being killed. This made retrieval and towing to shore or whaling ships considerably easier. A single right whale could yield over 40 barrels of oil, a substantial profit.
Their long baleen plates, up to seven feet long, were also prized for items like corsets and hoop skirts. Right whales often frequented coastal waters, making them accessible targets for shore-based whaling.
From “Right” to Protected
The traits that made right whales “right” targets led to a catastrophic decline in their numbers. Centuries of relentless hunting pushed North Atlantic right whale populations to near extinction, their numbers plummeting from tens of thousands to fewer than a hundred by the early 20th century. The devastating impact necessitated global intervention to prevent their disappearance.
International efforts to protect right whales began with a hunting ban in 1935. Legislative measures, such as the U.S. Endangered Species Act (1970) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972), provided safeguards. Despite these protections, right whale populations have struggled to recover, facing ongoing threats from human activities like fishing gear entanglement and vessel collisions. This journey from prime target to protected species underscores the lasting impact of historical exploitation.