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Post-WWII Whaling: MacArthur's Controversial Permit Led to 2,300 Deaths

1/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In the aftermath of World War II, General Douglas MacArthur permitted Japanese ships Hashidate Maru and Nisshin Maru to embark on whale hunts in Antarctica, aiming to combat food shortages. Between 1946 and 1948, these vessels tragically slaughtered over 2,300 blue and fin whales, all while gathering data under the shadow of industrial whaling concerns.

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Story summary

In the aftermath of World War II, General Douglas MacArthur permitted Japanese ships Hashidate Maru and Nisshin Maru to embark on whale hunts in Antarctica, aiming to combat food shortages. Between 1946 and 1948, these vessels tragically slaughtered over 2,300 blue and fin whales, all while gathering data under the shadow of industrial whaling concerns.