The Traditional Economies of the Indigenous People

The Traditional economies of the indigenous people:

Recent changes/adaptations:

• Ban on Whaling
• In the 1960’s Russian ships started exploiting multiple fish species in the Southern Ocean, including Antarctic rock cod.
• Also the Russians and Japanese began to overfish Krill, which is the base of the food chain which could have detrimental effects to the ecosystem.
• Antarctic treaty, set out the idea that all countries should work together for the common causes of scientific research an exchange ideas.
• The treaty continues to say that Antarctica should be used for peaceful purposes only, and prohibits military activities as well as nuclear testing and the dumping of nuclear waste.
• A new protocol adds a ban on all mineral resource activity, including exploration of the continental shelf.
• Sealing began in the 18th century, this was around the island of South Georgia. By 1800 all of the fur seals of South Georgia had been wiped out.
• Sealing then moved to the South Shetland Islands within 3 years over 300,000 seals had been slaughtered and the seals were nearly extinct. (This was the worst incident of exploitation)
• Whaling began in the 19th century, the main whales that were hunted were the blue and right whales. They were hunted for oil and whalebone
• Once again due to massive exploitation whalers moved to the Southern Ocean.
• Whaling was highly profitable and whaling stations were established on South Georgia and the South Shetlands.
• Grytviken was developed by the Norwegians on South Georgia. This increased the range of products whales provided to include; meat meal, bonemeal, meat extract and, later on, frozen whale meat.
• Whaling virtually stopped in 1985 after the establishment of the whaling convention. But some nations continue the slaughter of whales, even though whale numbers are dangerously low.

Traditional Activities:

• Hunting and fishing
• The main activity of the Inuit was hunting seals, as they provided them with meat, oil and skins.
• Another major activity was fishing, including for whales.

Hunting and fishing built a sustainable economy due to the very small populations of the indigenous people, but also as the indigenous people only took what they needed so all the animals were able to reproduce so there wasn’t a negative effect to their population. This made a sustainable economy as there was never too much or too little of anything meaning the prices/trades were always the same meaning all of the indigenous people always had what they needed.