[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 25, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            ORCA WHALE PODS

  (Mr. METCALF asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. METCALF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep concern 
over the recent capture of orca whales off the coast of Japan. Earlier 
this month five orca whales were netted and separated from their whale 
family, called a pod. A whale pod, like a human family unit, is vital 
for the survival of orcas. These captured orcas are scheduled to be 
sold to marine amusement parks and a whale museum.
  The capture of orcas was allowed under a permit to gather them for 
research purposes. Clearly, the use of whales for business and 
entertainment purposes blatantly violates the conditions of the permit.
  It is my understanding that orca pods appear very infrequently in 
Japanese waters. Destroying even one orca pod can cause great harm to 
the small orca population in that area.
  The captured orca pod will certainly suffer as a result of so many of 
its members being separated, and could even cause the pod's complete 
disintegration. I cannot condone this act and will do whatever I can to 
see that the five whales are released immediately.

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