Why did whaling expand into Antarctic waters in the early 1900s?

Whaling expanded into Antarctic waters in the early 1900s primarily because whale stocks in other parts of the world had been severely depleted by previous centuries of hunting. Following the observation of abundant whale populations during a Swedish expedition to Antarctica, the region became a new target for the industry.1

This expansion was driven by a combination of factors:

• Technological Innovation: The development of steam-powered whale catchers and the harpoon cannon allowed whalers to pursue and kill fast-swimming rorquals—such as blue, humpback, and fin whales—which were previously considered too difficult to catch.23
• Rising Market Demand: At the turn of the century, there was a sudden increase in demand for whale oil to support the production of soap and margarine. Additionally, the invention of the hydrogenation process enabled the transformation of this oil into fat, making it a highly valuable commodity.2

These economic and technological drivers turned Antarctic whaling into a lucrative industry, leading to the establishment of shore stations and, eventually, the transition to factory ships that could process catches in open waters.21