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 Unites 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 Unites 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
Athmosphere and U.S. Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission.