Commercial whaling

Commercial whaling refers to the practice of hunting whales for their meat, blubber, and other products for sale and profit. This activity has a long history but became controversial in the 20th century due to overfishing, which led to a dramatic decline in whale populations. In response, international regulations, particularly by the International Whaling Commission (IWC), were established to protect many whale species. While some countries continue commercial whaling under exemptions, the practice is generally opposed by environmentalists and many governments due to ethical concerns and the importance of conserving marine biodiversity.