History of Whale in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 20, 2026

Whales are a diverse group of aquatic placental mammals within the infraorder Cetacea, generally referring to the larger members excluding dolphins and porpoises. They are part of the order Cetartiodactyla, closely related to hippopotamuses, with a divergence history dating back approximately 54 million years. The two main parvorders of whales are baleen whales (Mysticeti) and toothed whales (Odontoceti), diverging around 34 million years ago. Mysticetes comprise four families (Balaenopteridae, Balaenidae, Cetotheriidae, and Eschrichtiidae), while Odontocetes include several families including Monodontidae, Physeteridae, Kogiidae, Ziphiidae, and also encompass dolphins and porpoises, which are sometimes excluded from the informal definition of whales.

1946: IWC moratorium limiting annual whale catch

In 1946, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) placed a moratorium, limiting the annual whale catch, resulting in yearly profits of close to US$31m for "subsistence" hunters.

1946: International Whaling Commission moratorium

Whaling decreased substantially after 1946 when the International Whaling Commission placed a moratorium which set a catch limit for each country

1960: Navy studies marine mammal abilities

Between 1960 and 1992, the Navy studied marine mammals' abilities with sonar, using dolphins and then belugas, to improve the detection of underwater objects.

1970: Whale song recordings and orchestral composition

In 1970, a recording of Song with a Humpback Whale by a team of marine scientists became popular. Also in 1970, Alan Hovhaness's orchestral composition And God Created Great Whales includes the recorded sounds of humpback and bowhead whales.

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1982: International Whaling Commission moratorium

In 1982, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) placed a moratorium setting catch limits for each country, excluding aboriginal groups, due to the scale of whale harvesting.

1992: Navy studies marine mammal abilities

Between 1960 and 1992, the Navy studied marine mammals' abilities with sonar, using dolphins and then belugas, to improve the detection of underwater objects.

2000: Whale hunting

Around 2000 B.C. People from Norway and Japan started hunting whales for their meat and blubber. Aboriginal groups used baleen for baskets and roofing, and bones for tools and masks.

2003: The Snail and the Whale children's book

In 2003, The Snail and the Whale, a children's book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler featuring a whale, was published.

2004: End of the IWC moratorium exclusion for aboriginal groups

In 2004, the exclusion of aboriginal groups from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium ended, thereby setting catch limits for them as well.

2004: Aboriginal groups catch limit set by the IWC moratorium

Up until 2004, the International Whaling Commission moratorium excluded aboriginal groups. As of 2015, aboriginal communities are allowed to take 280 bowhead whales off Alaska and two from the western coast of Greenland, 620 grey whales off Washington state, three common minke whales off the eastern coast of Greenland and 178 on their western coast, 10 fin whales from the west coast of Greenland, nine humpback whales from the west coast of Greenland and 20 off St. Vincent and the Grenadines each year.

2006: Belugas in captivity

As of 2006, 30 belugas were in Canada and 28 in the United States, and 42 deaths in captivity had been reported up to that time.

2008: Sperm whales sleep in vertical postures

In 2008, a study found that sperm whales sleep in vertical postures just under the surface in passive shallow "drift-dives", generally during the day. During these dives, whales do not respond to passing vessels unless they are in contact, suggesting they possibly sleep during such dives.

2008: Global Whale Watching

In 2008, an estimated 13 million people went whale watching globally, generating US$2.1 billion in tourism revenue and employing around 13,000 workers.

2010: Whale pump theory

In 2010, a study introduced the "whale pump" theory, considering whales a positive influence on ocean fisheries. Whales transport nutrients like nitrogen from the depths to the surface, reversing the idea that whales accelerate nutrient loss to the bottom. In the Gulf of Maine, this nitrogen input surpasses all rivers combined.

2013: Chile has the most fatal whale-ship collisions

From 2013 up to at least 2023, Chile has been the country with the most registered fatal whale-ship collisions.

2015: Aboriginal whale catch allowances

As of 2015, aboriginal communities are allowed to take 280 bowhead whales off Alaska and two from the western coast of Greenland, 620 grey whales off Washington state, three common minke whales off the eastern coast of Greenland and 178 on their western coast, 10 fin whales from the west coast of Greenland, nine humpback whales from the west coast of Greenland and 20 off St. Vincent and the Grenadines each year.

2020: Whale species at risk

As of 2020, six cetacean species are considered at risk. These species are ranked "Critically Endangered" (North Atlantic right whale), "Endangered" (blue whale, North Pacific right whale, and sei whale,) and "Vulnerable" (fin whale and sperm whale).