The History of Whaling in Norfolk Island

The earliest recorded account of whaling operations carried out by the early Pitcairn settlers on Norfolk Island was November 1858, when 2 whale boats were purchased from visiting American whalers. The men were good seamen and the industry proved to be a lucrative one and in a short period of time 120 barrels of oil worth 500 pounds were produced. The whaling industry, in hard economic times and an isolated community, gave the people of Norfolk Island the ability to have a better way of life. The money earned from this industry fed families, assisted in the purchase of books, clothes, farming equipment and tools. In 1956 a more modern whaling station was built at Cascade. Modern chasers were used to catch the whales. The station's quota of whales each season was 150 and the season went from June to October each year. The quota increased to 170 per season until closure of the station in 1962.

In 1962 the station caught only 4 whales and the whole whaling operation was closed forever, Whales have returned to the waters around Norfolk Island and can be seen during their migration. The people of Norfolk Island pay tribute to these powerful sea creatures and to the men who lost their lives supporting our community.