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    Freakonomics Radio

    549. The First Great American Industry

    Thu Jul 13 2023
    whalingAmerican historyenvironmental activismNantucketSea Shepherd Conservation Society

    Description

    This episode explores the history and impact of the whaling industry in America. It covers the activism of Paul Watson, the historical significance of whaling in places like Nantucket, the role of whaling in American economy and culture, the risks and challenges faced by whalers, and the decline of the industry due to various factors. The decline of American whaling had a significant impact on whale populations.

    Insights

    Whale hunting still occurs despite public sentiment being pro-whale since the Save the Whales movement in the 1970s.

    Despite widespread support for whale conservation, there are still ongoing whale hunting activities.

    Whaling played a significant role in America's culture and offered adventure to young men looking for opportunities.

    Whaling was not only an economic activity but also a cultural phenomenon that attracted adventurous individuals.

    Negative returns in whaling were often caused by not finding whales or losing vessels at sea.

    Whaling was a risky business, and the lack of success in finding whales or the loss of vessels could lead to financial losses.

    The decline of American whaling had a significant impact on whale populations, particularly Baleen and Right Whales.

    The decline of the whaling industry in America had severe consequences for whale populations, especially for species like Baleen and Right Whales.

    Chapters

    1. Paul Watson and the Fight Against Whale Hunting
    2. The Historical Significance of Whaling
    3. Whaling's Impact on American Economy and Culture
    4. The Risks and Challenges of Whaling
    5. The Decline of Whaling and its Impact
    6. The Transition and Decline of the American Whaling Industry
    Summary
    Transcript

    Paul Watson and the Fight Against Whale Hunting

    00:03 - 07:56

    • Paul Watson is an environmental activist known for confronting Japanese whale hunting ships in Antarctica.
    • Watson co-founded Greenpeace but was later kicked off the board and established the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
    • After being forced out of Sea Shepherd, Watson started the Captain Paul Watson Foundation.
    • His current campaign aims to stop the killing of endangered fin whales between Iceland and Greenland.
    • Whale hunting still occurs despite public sentiment being pro-whale since the Save the Whales movement in the 1970s.

    The Historical Significance of Whaling

    07:31 - 14:59

    • The whaling industry played a significant role in global economy and culture, particularly in places like Nantucket, Massachusetts.
    • Nantucket was once considered the capital of America's early history due to its dominance in whaling.
    • Whaling provided resources such as whale oil that were essential for lighting and lubricating machines during the industrial age.
    • The first English settlers on Nantucket turned to fishing when they realized the abundance of right whales along the south shore.

    Whaling's Impact on American Economy and Culture

    14:39 - 22:17

    • The whaling industry was not a huge slice of the American economy, but its contributions were important.
    • During the colonial period, whale products were excellent for export and contributed to the colonial economy.
    • The early federal authorities recognized the value of having a whaling industry for commercial development and naval conflicts.
    • Whaling played a significant role in America's culture and offered adventure to young men looking for opportunities.
    • Nantucket was once the center of the American whaling industry, but it spread to other towns like New Bedford, New London, and Sag Harbor.

    The Risks and Challenges of Whaling

    21:56 - 29:23

    • Whaling ports were places of talent, information flow, and access to capital and supplies.
    • There were high returns in whaling, but also tremendous variability and the risk of negative returns.
    • Negative returns in whaling were often caused by not finding whales or losing vessels at sea.
    • Deaths at sea, accidents during oil rendering, and aggressive whale encounters also led to loss of life.
    • Nearly a third of boats that set sail from New Bedford sank or were ruined over the 18th century.

    The Decline of Whaling and its Impact

    28:55 - 36:25

    • Nantucket was the leading whaling port until New Bedford took over in 1851.
    • The harbor in Nantucket was too shallow for large ships, so whaling trade shifted to New Bedford on the mainland.
    • A great fire in 1846 and the discovery of gold in 1848 contributed to Nantucket's decline.
    • Ships from Nantucket were abandoned at the Golden Gate when sailors went to California in search of gold.
    • The US whaling industry collapsed, leading to New Bedford's decline as well.

    The Transition and Decline of the American Whaling Industry

    36:01 - 43:26

    • The American whaling industry transitioned from a partnership model to a corporate form in the 1950s.
    • Coal gas and kerosene became cheap substitutes for whale oil products, leading to the decline of the whaling industry.
    • The availability of other job opportunities and rising wages made whaling less attractive.
    • Investment dollars stopped flowing into the whaling industry as people found other places to invest their money.
    • The decline of American whaling had a significant impact on whale populations, particularly Baleen and Right Whales.
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