5
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
mmimmimC.O. 885
23 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Mr. Leslie, the Foreign Office representative, was obliged to leave before this point was raised.
Mr. Maurice The question of calling further witnesses was then discussed. observed that so far no witness representing the interests of the whaling industry had been invited. As regards British firms operating in the South Atlantic, and elsewhere, Messrs. Salvesen and Messrs. Irvin should eventually be approached. As regards Norwegian firms, the difficulties of securing a witness such as Mr. Krogh-Hansen would be considerable, and the objection to inviting the Norwegian Government to send a witness was that if Norway was invited other foreign countries interested in whaling, such as Portugal and France, could hardly be ignored, and it would be premature at the present stage of proceedings to bring in international questions. As an alternative, Mr. Holt suggested that Captain Bruun, the manager of the Norwegian whaling station at Belmullet in County Mayo, should be invited, and it was accordingly decided to do so.
Mr. Allardyce, Governor of the Falkland Islands, was expected to arrive in England at the end of January, and Major Barrett-Hamilton probably in May. and it was decided that they should be called as soon after their arrival as practicable.
3114
No. 3.
STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED WORLD'S OUTPUT OF WHALE-OIL, 1911-12.
Falkland Islands
(PREPARED BY BOARD OF TRADE.)
(Received 26th January, 1914.)
Whaling Regions.
Total
Of which caught by
Other Norwegian
Whalers. Whalers.
Estimated Output of Whale-Oil.
British and
Colonial
Whalers.
Barrels.
Barrels.
255,200
59,000 65,400 27,900
25,000
Barrels. Barrels.
150,000 46,200
87,500 25,000
10,500
8,000
7,500
10,200
10,200
2,800
2,800
"
(Pacific)
88,800
88,800
Total
402,400 186,200
220,000
46,200
(70%)
In British Territorial Waters-
South Africa
Australia
New Zealand
Newfoundland
Canada (Atlantic)
1
In Foreign Territorial Waters—
France French Congo (Atlantic)
18,000
18,000
Portugal-Mozambique (Indian Ocean)
2,500
600
1,900
West Africa (Atlantic)
46,000
8,600
27,800
Japan (Pacific)
48,600
United States
8,000
8,600 48,600 8,000
Brazil (Atlantic)
6,000
6,000
Kerguelen
8,500
8,500
Chilian Coasts
7,500
7,500
Iceland, Spitzbergen, Faroe Islands, Shetlands, &c.
47,100
1,000 45,500
Total ...
181,200
16,800
104,200
60,200
Grand Total
588,600 159,000
824,200
100,400
6175
EXTRACT FROM
No. 4.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
REPORT ON THE
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FISHERIES OF WESTERN
AUSTRALIA FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER, 1912.
(Received 17th February, 1914.)
WHALE FISHING.
In a previous report I had pleasure in informing you that a revival of the long-neglected whale fisheries in local waters was imminent, and that one company -the Western Australian Whaling Company, Limited, of Larvik, Norway--had been granted an Exclusive Licence to fish in the coastal waters extending from Steep Point (Shark Bay) to Cape Lambert. During the year two additional Exclusive Licences were granted to companies formed in Norway-the Fremantle Whaling Company and the Cape Leeuwin Whaling Company-to fish respectively in the coastal waters extending South from Steep Point to Cape Leeuwin and from Cape Leeuwin to Esperance. The capital of the first-mentioned company is £83,000, that of the second is £45,000, and that of the last-mentioned £40,000.
It will be within your knowledge that other applications have, on behalf of Norwegian companies, been received for licences, one particularly to cover that por- tion of the coastal waters extending from Cape Lambert to the Northern boundary of the State. Consideration was given this application, and although the Depart- ment is anxious to encourage operations in connexion with this branch of the Fish- eries of the State, it was pointed out that, as the periodic migrations in a northerly direction of the humpback whales were, in all probability, associated with provision for the next generation, it was not considered advisable to recommend the granting of a licence covering these particular waters until further data had been obtained. Subsequent inquiries go to confirm my belief that in certain parts of the waters north of Cape Lambert are situated breeding grounds, and as I am anxious to avoid as far as possible the destruction of the pregnant females and to protect the baby whales or calves until such time as they are capable of caring for themselves, I do not consider it would be in the interests of the State to, at this juncture, grant a licence covering these particular waters.
It may be of interest to point out that at least five species of whales frequent the waters of this State, and, apparently, in point of numbers they must be taken in the following order :-The Humpback (Magaptera), Sperm-whale (Physeter), Fin- back (Balaenoptera physalus), Sulphur Bottoni (Bo-musculus), and the Right-whale (Balaena Australis). In the migratory period--say June to October-the first-men- tioned species occur in our waters and journey as far North, or perhaps a little further than Broome, whilst the second species is rarely seen further North than Geographe Bay, the colder waters of the Southern portion of the State being more suitable to its requirements. The Fin-back is considered of little commercial value, they, generally-in our waters at least-being in such a poor condition that their The Sulphur capture and treatment does not appear to be a sound proposition. Bottom, although perhaps the largest animal frequenting our waters-it grows to a length of about 100 feet-does not appear to be plentiful, and the Right-whale one of the whalebone whales and consequently very valuable--is met with in small numbers only, and at rare intervals.
During June, 1912, the fleet of the Western Australian Whaling Company, which consisted of one large factory ship of about 4,000 tons and two steam "whalers," arrived at Fremantle, and after preliminary arrangements had been com- pleted, departed for the North-West coast. At the offset considerable difficulty was experienced in securing suitable harbours (deep water harbours sheltered from heavy winds and the ocean swell are essential. In addition, an abundant supply of fresh water is necessary) and in locating the Northern "trek" (line of migration) of the whales. A short trial was given to the waters east of Dirk Hartog Island (Shark Bay), but as this locality proved unsuitable the fleet was taken to Maud's Landing, where active operations were commenced. Later in the season the fleet was aug- mented by the addition of two more "whalers," and up to and inclusive of the early part of September, 243 Humpback whales of which 200 were males and 43 females -were taken.
On the approach of the warmer weather and consequently the approach of the completion of the migratory period of the Humpback whales, the fleet proceeded to Frenchman's Bay (Albany) and the coastal waters in that vicinity were exploited
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