Podcast Summary: “Qué sabemos de los balleneros”
Podcast: Más de uno
Host: Carlos Alsina, Onda Cero
Air Date: January 20, 2026
Main Theme
This rich and engaging episode explores the history, tradition, and science surrounding the now-lost trade of whaling in northern Spain. Carlos Alsina, with guests including biologist Alex Aguilar, historian Michael Huxley, and former factory worker Lidia Rodríguez, dives into the legacy of Spanish and especially Basque whalers, the monumental economic role of the industry, its decline, and the preservation of its memory.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The End of Whaling in Spain
[00:05–01:57]
- The last whale was caught in Spanish waters on October 21, 1985, by Galician harpooner Miguel López, just before the global moratorium on commercial whaling.
- The hunted creature was a female fin whale, nearly 18 meters long, brought to the Caneliñas factory, a major site since 1924.
- Victorio Caamaño, a veteran of Caneliñas, describes the logistics and crew (no more than 16), emphasizing the importance of proximity to the coast to avoid spoilage.
Notable Quote:
-
“Si sobrepasaban determinado límite corrían el riesgo de que la ballena que habían cazado se echara a perder antes de llegar.” – Carlos Alsina [01:53]
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“Podíamos desplazarnos como mucho a 90 millas... porque si no cogías un testáceo y cuando te llevabas coterías ya no valía la carne.” – Victorio Caamaño [01:57]
2. Whaling as History, Tradition, and Science
[02:13–04:57]
- Whaling was crucial in the economic and cultural life of the North—Basque Country, Asturias, and Galicia.
- Álex Aguilar, biologist and author of the new book La huella ballenera en el norte de la península ibérica, recounts starting his research in the Caneliñas factory, originally combining academic and biological interests with the chance to collect rare samples.
- Spain entered the International Whaling Commission, which required having a local scientific expert – thus cementing Aguilar’s professional role.
Notable Quote:
- “Una factoría ballenera te permitía entrar en las interioridades del cuerpo de los animales, te permitía hacer muchísimos estudios...” – Álex Aguilar [03:23]
3. Whale Biology and Mythbusting
[04:14–06:07]
- Clarification on terminology: in English “whale” means any large cetacean, not strictly a ballena (baleen whale) in Spanish.
- Baleen whales cannot swallow a person; their esophagus is too narrow and they filter-feed on plankton.
- Sperm whales (“cachalote”), however, are true predators and have, according to old records, sometimes swallowed humans—mostly by accident.
Notable Quote:
- “Tenemos un problema con la terminología... en realidad las ballenas... son filtradores, son cetáceos... pero no tienen dientes... el esófago es muy estrechito, imposible que una ballena devore [a un hombre].” – Álex Aguilar [04:28]
4. The Economics and Vocabulary of Whaling
[06:19–07:34]
- The process was typically called “pesca” (fishing) by professionals, but “caza” (hunting) is also correct — reflecting subtle differences in approach.
- Whaling was extremely profitable: modest investment, small crews, massive yields. In the 13th century, one whale could make someone rich for years.
Notable Quote:
- “En un solo día de trabajo, 10 personas pueden capturar una ballena. Y una ballena puede reportar el beneficio equivalente de lo que [un agricultor] podría ganar en varios años.” – Álex Aguilar [07:09]
5. Decline of the Whale Population
[07:46–08:48]
- Whaling grew from the 11th century, peaking between the 13th–15th centuries; by the 16th century, local populations were already in steep decline.
- Basque whalers expanded their operations as nearer stocks dwindled.
6. Whales: The Ultimate Marine Mammals
[08:48–09:23]
- Cetaceans (including whales, dolphins, orcas) are the only mammals fully independent of land.
- Seal and sirenian species remain partially bound to terrestrial environments.
Notable Quote:
- “Los cetáceos tienen una vida absolutamente acuática.” – Álex Aguilar [09:16]
7. The Basque as Pioneers
[09:23–10:05]
- Written and archaeological evidence credits Basque sailors with pioneering whaling techniques, later adapted by other nations.
- Basques maintained dominance until the 17th century, when the know-how spread internationally.
8. The Modern Perception vs. Historical Reality
[10:05–13:43]
- Literary and scientific focus on 19th-century American and Nordic whaling has overshadowed Spain’s role.
- In modern times, especially post-WWI, Norwegian companies brought industrial whaling to Spain, particularly at places like Caneliñas.
- Initially, the main product was oil (for lamps, soap, textile processing), but when cold chains were developed, meat became exportable—even to Japan.
Notable Quote:
- “Toda la industria lanera de Castilla funcionaba gracias al jabón producido con aceite que provenía de la pesca de la ballena en el Cantábrico.” – Álex Aguilar [12:36]
9. Selma Huxley’s Revelations
[13:43–17:57]
- Selma Huxley, a historian, uncovered vast documentation of the Basque whaling presence in Canada—the largest 16th-century whaling industry in the world.
- Her son, Michael Huxley, elaborates on her impact, noting her discovery of the San Juan shipwreck and the reconstruction of Basque whaling operations in Newfoundland/Labrador.
Notable Quotes:
- “Fue realmente la mujer que abrió los ojos a los historiadores españoles sobre el importante legado... de la pesca de la ballena.” – Álex Aguilar [14:16]
- “Mi madre... encuentra una ingente cantidad de documentación del siglo XVI... le reveló que no sólo iban a por bacalao... sino también a una enorme pesquería de ballenas.” – Michael Huxley [20:23]
10. The Work and Social Life in Whaling Factories
[23:11–28:45]
- Álex Aguilar and Lidia Rodríguez describe the factory’s operations between the 1970s and 1985, with Lidia recalling the harsh, labor-intensive work and the challenges facing women workers.
- Both remember increased pressure from environmental activism in the 1980s, including bombings of vessels.
- Lidia reflects on efforts to maintain employment as the end of whaling approached, the daily tasks of cutting up whale meat, and the camaraderie among workers.
Notable Quotes:
- “Cortar la carne de la ballena, primero la desguazaban los hombres y luego nosotros, la subían y en trozos grandes la cortábamos para pesarla y ponerla en la cámara para llevar luego los japoneses.” – Lidia Rodríguez [25:21]
- “Era un trabajo bruto, bruto.” – Lidia Rodríguez [26:44]
Notable Quotes and Timestamps
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |------------|------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:57 | Victorio Caamaño | “Podíamos desplazarnos como mucho a 90 millas... porque si no cogías un testáceo y cuando te llevabas coterías ya no valía la carne.” | | 03:23 | Álex Aguilar | “Una factoría ballenera te permitía entrar en las interioridades del cuerpo de los animales, te permitía hacer muchísimos estudios...” | | 04:28 | Álex Aguilar | “...las ballenas... son filtradores... el esófago es muy estrechito, imposible que una ballena devore [a un hombre].” | | 07:09 | Álex Aguilar | “Y una ballena puede reportar el beneficio equivalente de lo que [un agricultor] podría ganar en varios años.” | | 09:16 | Álex Aguilar | “Los cetáceos tienen una vida absolutamente acuática.” | | 12:36 | Álex Aguilar | “Toda la industria lanera de Castilla funcionaba gracias al jabón producido con aceite que provenía de la pesca de la ballena en el Cantábrico.” | | 14:16 | Álex Aguilar | “Fue realmente la mujer que abrió los ojos a los historiadores españoles sobre el importante legado... de la pesca de la ballena.” | | 20:23 | Michael Huxley | “Mi madre... encuentra una ingente cantidad de documentación del siglo XVI... le reveló que no sólo iban a por bacalao... sino también a una enorme pesquería de ballenas.” | | 25:21 | Lidia Rodríguez | “Cortar la carne de la ballena, primero la desguazaban los hombres y luego nosotros... la cortábamos para pesarla y ponerla en la cámara para llevar luego los japoneses.” | | 26:44 | Lidia Rodríguez | “Era un trabajo bruto, bruto.” |
Memorable Moments
- Álex Aguilar demystifies the whale/human dynamic—no, you can't get swallowed by a baleen whale, but sperm whales have been known to devour large sea creatures.
- Michael Huxley powerfully testifies to the international significance of Basque whalers, distinguishing between the regional populations and the immense scale of North American operations in the 16th century.
- Lidia Rodríguez, now one of few living witnesses to the Caneliñas factory, offers first-hand stories of gender, struggle, and adaptation in the face of closing industry.
Key Segments and Timestamps
- [00:05–01:57] — Introduction, last whale in Spain, factory history, Victorio Caamaño
- [02:13–04:57] — Alex Aguilar, biology, research, whale anatomy
- [04:14–06:07] — Whale “myths”, biology, terminology, sperm whales
- [06:19–08:48] — Language of whaling, economic impact, decline of populations
- [08:48–10:05] — Whales as marine mammals, Basque origins, spread of techniques
- [10:05–13:43] — Historical narrative, shift of dominance to Norway and Japan, whale uses
- [13:43–17:57] — Selma Huxley, emergence of the Canadian Basque whaling narrative
- [23:11–28:45] — Living history: Álex Aguilar and Lidia Rodríguez, factory life and final years
Overall Tone
The conversation masterfully weaves historical rigor, personal testimony, and a dash of humor, capturing the significance of whaling as both an emblematic and controversial thread in Spanish heritage. The nostalgia of lost trades intermingles with scientific clarity and humane reflection.
Recommended for listeners interested in:
History, maritime tradition, marine biology, labor history, the Basque diaspora, and the human consequences of ecological decline.