Whaling has been a traditional occupation of Bequia fishermen for centuries. Today the native people of Bequia Island are among the rare world populations the International Whaling Commission tolerates. As for the Inuit people, whale hunting in Bequia was necessary for survival since there were no other resources on the island. Whale hunting in Bequia continues to be a traditional and non-commercial activity. No motor boats can be used to hunt the whales, and their long, elegant wooden sailboats used for whale catching are a tourist attraction. They can use only handheld harpoons and no whale product may be exported. Only four whales can be killed per year. But, the whale hunt is losing its popularity on the island; some former whale hunting families refuse to participate and some seasons no whales are killed.

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