The Basque whalers were skilled fishermen from the Basque Country, a region located in northern Spain and southwestern France. They began hunting whales in the late 16th century, primarily targeting the North Atlantic waters. Their whaling techniques included using small boats and harpoons, allowing them to catch various species, including right whales and sperm whales. The Basque whalers played a significant role in the early whaling industry, contributing to the development of whaling practices and trade. They established whaling stations in places like Newfoundland and Greenland, where they processed whale oil and meat, which were valuable commodities in Europe.