American whaling was a significant industry from the early 17th century to the late 19th century. Whalers primarily hunted sperm whales and right whales for their oil, which was used for lighting lamps, making soap, and other products. The whaling industry was centered in coastal towns like New Bedford and Nantucket, where ships were built and crews were organized. The decline of American whaling began in the late 1800s due to overhunting and the rise of petroleum as a more efficient energy source. Conservation efforts and international regulations, such as the International Whaling Commission, further reduced whaling activities, leading to the protection of many whale species.