Whaling in Koshiki Island, Kagoshima Prefecture

Whaling activity in tow areas of Koshiki islands was investigated at the viewpoint of fishing technology. Whaling activity in Teuchi at Shimo-kosiki island was operated in 1920’s and 1946. Whaling activity in Oshima at Kami-koshiki island was operated from 1944 to 1948. The whaling activity at two places was confirmed by obvious evidence of peoples in there. Detail images of whaling at Oshima have cleared by record of company. Both whaling were modern whaling those were operated by whaling company using small sized catcher boat. The names of companies are Toyo whaling company at 1920’s and Kyokuyo whaling company in 1946 at Teuchi and Nippon Suian Company from 1944 to 1948 at Oshima. During this period, 10 numbers of Sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) and Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in 1946 at Teuchi, the 30 numbers of Sperm whale, Sei whale, (Balaenoptera borealis) Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) from 1944 to 1948 at Oshima. Those whales were caught in spring season only. It is considered that the whaling company constructed the whaling base at Koshiki islands recognizing a seasonal migration of whales and effective operation of small sized catcher boat. Those companies have retired from this whaling ground in a few years. This seems to be influenced the effects which are the relative low fishing efficiency in this area and rapid development of fleet whaling at Southern Pole Sea