[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 26, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H6853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             THE GRAY WHALE

  (Mr. METCALF asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. METCALF. Madam Speaker, this week the International Whaling 
Commission is meeting in Scotland. One of the major issues it is 
considering is whether to allow the Makah Tribe of Washington State to 
hunt and kill gray whales, which were on the endangered species list 
just 2 years ago. Incredibly the U.S. delegation to the commission 
supports the plan, but seven elders of the Makah Tribe strongly oppose 
the plan. One has questioned the motives of tribal officials, fearing 
the hunt will become a commercial enterprise.
  According to the Seattle Post Intelligencer, one gray whale could 
fetch as much as $1 million in Japan. Norwegian whaling interests have 
offered the tribe harpoons and a boat. Thirteen native groups in Canada 
have already indicated their intention to resume whaling if the Makah 
Tribe is given a green light by the IWC. The Makah tribal leaders say 
they want to take only five whales a year; but then how many more would 
be taken by the other native groups? Where would commercial whaling 
stop if it is started?

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