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I wonder if this is what the whaling in Avatar 2 was based on??

That's ambergris, often called "floating gold" which also comes from sperm whales.

The whaling in Avatar 2 was exceptionally well done IMO. Everything from the hunt (complete with the "nantucket sleigh ride") to a new "liquid gold" and the incredible waste after harvesting are all in line with actual whaling practices.

Ambergris derives from the French “ambre gris”, meaning grey amber. It’s has been an important ingredient in perfumes for centuries.

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