The whaling industry refers to the hunting of whales for their meat, oil, and other products. This practice dates back thousands of years and was particularly prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries when countries like Norway and the United States relied on whale oil for lighting and lubrication. The demand for whale products led to significant declines in whale populations. In response to overhunting, international regulations were established, including the formation of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1946. Today, many countries have banned commercial whaling, although some, like Japan and Iceland, continue to hunt whales under specific exemptions or for scientific purposes.