The early 19th century marked the beginning of Oceanyka’s true integration into the European economic sphere. While the world's great powers had previously noted the continent’s vast and largely untapped natural resources, and many of them possessed profitable colonies within it, the threat of devastation from total war further into the continent was well known. However, this threat had one caveat: the shores around Oceanyka were relatively safe from the perils of war. This allowed the British Empire, at the time the world's dominant thalassocracy, to develop its commercial interests in the continent. At the forefront of this development was the whaling and fisheries industry, which could safely be exploited without the need to worry about roving bands of hungry soldiers or deserters.
- The Southern, Indian and Pacific Oceans surrounding Oceanyka have always been teeming with marine life, particularly the fast-growing Tasman Whale, whose blubber, oil, and baleen were in high demand across Europe and North America. British whalers were among the first to establish seasonal hunting grounds along Oceanyka’s coastlines, with key whaling stations emerging across the width of the continent. This was particularly important for the Empire as, following the American Revolution, Britain had lost access to the best source of whale products at their disposal. The whaling industry rapidly became the backbone of the early colonial economy, providing employment for settlers and indigenous labourers alike. Whale oil was particularly valuable for lighting, lubrication, and the manufacture of soaps and candles. By the 1810s, Brtish-controlled ports (particularly Sydney) were bustling hubs for processing and exporting whale products, strengthening their ties with global markets. This was in stark contrast with inland Oceanyka, which was experiencing the Continental Collapse and was, as such, almost wholly devastated.
- Alongside whaling, the fishing industry flourished, driven by the abundant marine life in the waters surrounding Oceanyka. European settlers, particularly the British, introduced large-scale commercial fishing techniques, capitalising on local fish stocks. Salted and dried fish became a key export to British colonies in Asia, while the growing colonial population relied heavily on fresh fish as a dietary staple. Mostly importantly though, these colonies did not have easy access to grain and produce from inland, as most farmlands were thoroughly razed. It is no wonder that fish and long-shelf-life produce such as Potatoes formed the backbone of the colonial man's diet. Fish & Chips stands out as an enduring legacy of these economic conditions. The development of fishing infrastructure, such as smokehouses, salting stations, and rudimentary canneries, further stimulated economic growth. Over time, this industry became more structured, with small-scale local operations giving way to larger enterprises, often controlled by British trading firms.
The whaling and fisheries boom played a crucial role in shaping early colonial society. It provided settlers with lucrative opportunities and encouraged further immigration to Oceanyka. The influx of skilled maritime workers, including shipbuilders and navigators, contributed to the region’s growing economic complexity. Whaling and fishing, being relatively non-intrusive in terms of land, went relatively under the radar for the continent's powers, which were more preoccupied with killing each other in new and novel ways. These industries acted as the first major pillar of colonial development. As the 19th century progressed, new economic opportunities would emerge, but the maritime industries of the early colonial period remained deeply ingrained in Oceanyka’s economic system, and is considered responsible for The Oceanykan Federation's enormous pool of skilled sailors and maritime traditions. By the late 1810s, whaling was no longer the dominant industry of Oceanyka, but rather shepherding, a defining characteristic of the Economy of Colonial Oceanyka in the 1810s.