Stuff You Should Know Save the Whales!
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Apr 28, 2026 A deep dive into the rise of the Save the Whales movement and how grassroots tactics pushed conservation into mainstream culture. Stories of dramatic industrial whaling, daring direct-action tactics at sea, and iconic photo campaigns that shifted public opinion. An exploration of the international moratorium, surprising recovery stats, lingering whaling debates, and modern threats like bycatch and climate change.
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Save The Whales Is An Old Global Slogan
- Save the Whales was a recurring conservation slogan dating back to the 1880s and gained organized momentum in the 1920s with meetings and buttons.
- Early efforts likened whale decline to the near-extinction of bison, prompting international gatherings and media attention.
Industrial Whaling Dwarfed 19th Century Hunting
- Industrial whaling escalated mid-20th century with cannon-fired exploding harpoons and factory-style fleets taking tens of thousands annually.
- By the 1960s whalers were killing about 80,000 whales per year, pushing species like blue whales near extinction.
Whale Song Changed Public Perception
- Scientific recordings revealed complex whale song, reframing whales as intelligent, communicative animals and fueling empathy.
- Frank Watlington's hydrophone recordings led to the 1970 album Songs of the Humpback Whale that popularized whale songs.