Around the world, a large and diverse number of coastal communities and Indigenous Peoples rely on the cultural, nutritional and economic sustenance whaling provides.

Whaling feeds their families, their communities, their economies, and their cultures. For many, centuries of reliance on the products of the hunt has created a vital nutritional, cultural, spiritual and ecological link between whaling peoples and whales.

Whaling communities are widespread, in many regions: the Arctic, the Caribbean, Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific. While in New Zealand Maori struggle to continue their tradition of taking stranded animals for bone, oil, teeth and meat.

Among the cetaceans hunted are bowhead whale, Bryde's whale, fin whale, humpback whale, gray whale, minke whale, and sperm whale; these are often referred to as "IWC whales".

Other species (non IWC whales) are hunted as well, and include the beluga, narwhal, Baird's beaked whale, pilot whale species, pygmy killer whales, harbour porpoise and various species of dolphins.