Whale hunting was a dangerous and arduous profession that played a significant role in the economies of many nations for centuries. Hunters used harpoons and lancets to kill whales, whose blubber was rendered into oil. Baleen whales were particularly prized for their baleen, which was used to make various products. The famous novel "Moby-Dick" is based on the true story of a whaling ship sunk by a sperm whale. Due to concerns about overfishing and the impact on marine ecosystems, commercial whaling has declined significantly. Whaling museums preserve the history of this industry, while organizations and individuals continue to fight for whale conservation.