Available online
Description
This programme traces the development of the whaling industry. It also shows how, if whales are to be managed as a natural renewable resource, a management policy should evolve based upon ecologica...l considerations of whale populations.
This programme traces the development of the whaling industry. It also shows how, if whales are to be managed as a natural renewable resource, a management policy should evolve based upon ecologica...l considerations of whale populations.
| Module code and title: | S334, Oceanography |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S334; 15 |
| First transmission date: | 14-09-1978 |
| Published: | 1978 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Roger Jones |
| Contributors: | Ray Gambell; Christina Lockyer |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Conservation; International Whaling Commission; Whales |
| Footage description: | Short film sequence of a whale being killed with an explosive harpoon. Over still shots of several species of whales, Ray Gambell introduces the programme. Short film clip of whales being killed from the Horizon programme "Whales, dolphins and men". Gambell divides whales into two basic groups - those with teeth and those without. He lists the characteristics of the two groups and the different economic products derived from each. Still shots of various species of whales. Film shots of Caribbean islanders and Eskimos hunting whales. Gambell discusses the early methods used to hunt whales. Using still shots of several species of whales Gambell explains that even with quite primitive technology whalers were able to deplete the Atlantic of most of the slow swimming whale species. He points out how this forced whalers to go further afield for their kills. Film shots of whales being hunted with explosive - tipped harpoons and being cut up at coastal processing areas. Also film of a whale factory ship. Commentary by Gambell explains how the combination of factory ships and explosive harpoons revolutionised the whaling industry. Still shots of several species of whales. Using a map of the world which has pinned to it flags of various whaling nations and also pictures of several species of whales, Gambell recaps the history of whaling from the 12th century to the present day. He points out particularly how each development of technology caused a depletion of the species hunted and forced whalers to hunt other species. Gambell, with the aid of graphs and film of whales being cut up and processed, looks in detail at Antarctic whaling activities during this century and their effect on the stock of whales of various species hunted there. He points out some of the regulatory actions which have been taken to avoid depletion of stocks. Using still shots of a fin whale, a diagram of its ear and dissected out earplugs, he explains how one can determine the age of a whale and also the age of sexual maturity for the species. Ray Gambell, with the aid of an animated graph and diagram, discusses the correlation between depletion of numbers of whales within a species and a lower age of sexual maturity of the animals. He uses the breeding cycle of the southern hemisphere baleen whale to illustrate some of his points. Gambell concludes the programme by discussing the shortcomings of single species Management of whales as is presently done by the International Whaling Commission. He points out some of the unforeseen effects of this policy. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72838 |
| Production number: | 00525_1307 |
| Videofinder number: | 480 |
| Available to public: | no |
