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Abstract:
This publication presents a dataset based on keying/tabulation/quality control of weather, sea ice and whale catch data from several catch logbooks of the Norwegian whaling company Thor Dahl A/S for the period of 1932-1963. These catch logbooks were logged during the whaling season while vessel was on the hunting grounds in the Southern Ocean. The logbooks used in this dataset were originally archived in Hvalfangstmuseet (Whaling Museum) in Sandefjord, Norway, which keeps much of the archive material connected to the Norwegian historical whaling industry. Later the documents were moved to the Vestfold archive in Sandefjord. During this study 56 catch logbooks were keyed and analysed. These catch logbooks cover the whaling seasons of 1932/33 to 1962/63, during which a total catch of 12 747 Blue whales was recorded. All relevant information about the catch (species and number) with associated ship positions, dates, weather and sea ice/icebergs conditions were keyed/tabulated into Excel spreadsheet. For details on the structure of catch logbooks as well as final published data structure, please see the attached metadata file.