These are among the 719 whale bones from various museum collections in Europe that were analysed by archaeologists. Most of the whale bones originated from around 900 BCE to 1500 CE. Credit: NTNU University Museum
Key points:
- Even before the age of industrial whaling, scientists found that whaling was a widespread practice, occurring as far north as Norway and as far south as Spain.
- Findings show the North Atlantic right whale and grey whale were eliminated from the eastern Atlantic.
- Some lone grey whales have been spotted in Europe, prompting researchers to use their findings to determine which areas they need to protect in the event of a grey whale comeback.
The industrial whaling of the 19th and 20th centuries almost wiped out several species. However, even though whaling took place on a much smaller scale before this period, it was enough for at least two species to disappear completely from European waters. These two species used to be among the most common, but now one of these species is on the verge of extinction.
A new study, published in Royal Society Open Science, reveals the impact of whaling on different species. To determine the origin of each species, scientists studied protein in 719 whale bones, dating from around 900 BCE to 1500 CE.
Scientists found that the bones originated from whales caught as far north as Norway and as far south as Spain, indicating that whaling was widespread.
In their investigation, scientists came across a lot of grey whale bones, meaning that they were vulnerable to whaling. This whale species began to disappear from parts of the North Atlantic as early as the Middle Ages, and was completely gone from the area by the 18th century. Currently, only two grey whale populations exist in the Pacific Ocean, with no meaningful return to the Atlantic.
The study’s bone material also featured many bones from the North Atlantic right whale. These whales were slow swimmers that stayed close to the shore, making them an easy target for 18th century whalers. Today, the species is likely extinct in the eastern Atlantic and nearly gone from the western Atlantic. Although, Northern Atlantic right whales have been protected since 1937, only 300 to 400 individuals remain.
Despite their near extinction, lone grey whales have been spotted again in Europe. Now, scientists are considering their findings in the context of a potential grey whale comeback.
“Climate change has led to the Northwest Passage being ice-free for longer periods than previously,” said Youri van den Hurk of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. “This makes it possible for grey whales to return to the North Atlantic. Seeing as we now know where the species used to be prevalent, we also know which areas we need to protect if the grey whale ever returns.”