Whales have been a significant part of Bizkaia's history. Whaling was a source of wealth for many towns along our coast.
Almost everything from the great cetacean was exploited; it was an inexhaustible source of wealth. Its baleen was used to make numerous garments. Its bones were used in construction or furniture making. Although its meat did not suit the culinary tastes of the Basques, it was in demand in France, where it was exported; its tongue , on the other hand, considered a delicacy, was reserved for the authorities. Its sperm was also used to make ointments. But above all, its fat was essential at the time. After melting the fat in ovens, the saltpeter was obtained, which was used as fuel for lighting.
During the fall and winter, whales approached our coast, and here they were hunted, killed, and butchered. From the watchtowers, upon spotting the appearance of a whale, the lookouts would light the pyre as a signal. The arrantzales would quickly rush to their boats and row with all their might to be the first to reach the cetacean and throw the harpoon. The first to do so, in addition to reaping the greatest profit, could choose which vessels would participate in the hunt, transport, and butchering of the whale.
During the 16th century, our whalers reached the coast of Newfoundland, where they established their fisheries. When spring arrived, more than 2,000 Basque sailors traveled to Newfoundland to hunt whales.
Seals and coats of arms
The importance of the coastal strip's commercial and fishing activities is reflected in the stamps and coats of arms of the towns, such as those presented here. They are reproductions of old stamps from Bermeo, Ondarroa, Donostia, Hondarribia, and Biarritz. A highly representative figure on these stamps is the whale and its hunting , an important activity for the economy of many towns along the Basque coast and also reflecting the sense of pride this enterprise generated among its residents.
Whaling ship
Wooden boat, reminiscent of a large boat, with two white sails
This whaling boat, measuring over 8 meters in length and almost two meters wide, was built along with its twin in 1966 by Bilbao native Ignacio Aldecoa. It was commissioned by the School of Nautical Engineering and Naval Machinery of the University of the Basque Country for student training.
Their design is an evolution of the boats traditionally used in whaling, hence the name "whaleboat." At the end of the 19th century, these vessels were adopted by nautical schools and navies as auxiliary and service boats for training their personnel. They were also used to participate in various classic boat races.