Contact: Scott Smullen FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Delegation 6/27/96
International Whaling Commission
Aberdeen, Scotland
Aberdeen, Scotland -- During the 48th session of the International Whaling Commission today, the Makah Indian Tribe and the United States deferred until next year a request to hunt five gray whales for cultural and subsistence use. At the same time, U.S. delegation leader, D. James Baker, reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to uphold the rights of native people.
According to U.S. delegation officials, the Makah request was supported by many countries on the Commission, including those with a history of opposing any whaling activity. However, several concerns were expressed, including those about tribal whaling crew training and plans to combine traditional whaling practices with modern humane hunting methods.
"Deferring our request gives the Makah Tribe a chance to address the concerns of some delegates and educate people about the whaling needs and traditions of our people," said Marcy Parker, Makah Tribal Council member and a U.S. delegate to the IWC. "We will return to this process next year in an effort to continue our rich whaling heritage."
The Makahs and the U.S. intend to resubmit the request to the IWC at the 1997 meeting in Monaco when the overall gray whale aboriginal subsistence quota must be considered by the Commission. The IWC currently permits up to 140 gray whales a year to be taken for aboriginal subsistence, based on a need established by Russian natives.
"The United States government continues to support Indian treaty rights and the preservation of native cultures," said Baker. "There is a recognition around the world that the cultures of indigenous people are worth preserving and the United States is taking a lead in this effort."
"The United States and the Makahs will continue to work together on the request, which we fully expect will be accepted by the Commission next year," said Baker.
The removal of the gray whale from the Endangered Species Act list in 1994 and the subsequent decision by the Makah Tribe to resume their 1,500-year tradition of whaling established the necessity for the U.S. to make a formal request to the IWC for a quota. According to officials, the request fits squarely within the IWC aboriginal subsistence whaling category, which currently allows whaling by indigenous people in Russia, the U.S. (Alaska), Denmark (Greenland) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The IWC is the sole international body with authority to regulate whaling. Commercial whaling is currently banned by the IWC, but the Commission recognizes an exception for aboriginal subsistence use by native peoples.
Baker is the Commerce Department's Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and U.S. Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission.