Saint Pierre, Newfoundland, Whaling - Baleen whale
Whales and Whaling pictures

Newfoundland, Canada, St. Pierre, Whaling approx. WWl

Shore whaling stations around the world operated in similar manners, this one in Newfoundland, Canada operated because whales used to be much more plentiful than they are now meaning that whales not far from shore could be caught and dragged back by the small catcher boat for shore processing. As industrial whaling became more and more efficient, the populations of the great whales fell precipitously. At the time this photograph was taken around 1914-1918 there were still plenty around. As time went on and populations dwindled, there were simply not enough for most shore stations to be able to continue economically.

Postcard