[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H7354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               OPPOSING THE RENEWAL OF COMMERCIAL WHALING

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Washington [Mr. Metcalf] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  (Mr. METCALF asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. METCALF. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to yet another 
proposal to renew commercial whaling on our Nation's West Coast.
  Next month the International Whaling Commission will meet. On its 
agenda is a resolution to authorize the Makah Tribe that is on the west 
coast of Washington State to renew commercial whaling, to kill five 
gray whales annually. Just three years ago gray whales were removed 
from the endangered species list. If they are granted whaling rights, 
13 tribes in British Columbia are prepared to begin commercial whaling 
themselves.
  We all know that whales were hunted almost to extinction in all the 
oceans in the last century. I do not believe that people are prepared 
to renew commercial whaling in North America. There are many reasons: 
Guilt for the past actions a hundred years ago. People feel protective 
of whales. They are concerned for these great beasts. And there are 
economic reasons. There is a multimillion-dollar whale watching 
industry in northern California, Oregon coast, Washington coast, 
British Columbia, clear to Alaska.
  The gray whales and local orcas, they are used to boats. People sort 
of consider them like pets. Many individuals have been identified and 
can be recognized. People are thrilled to get a close look at them. But 
these are very intelligent animals. Once commercial killing starts, 
even on a limited basis, explosive harpoons, whales thrashing, blood in 
the water, there will soon be no whale watching. No boat will get close 
to gray whales again. That will be the end of a major industry on the 
Pacific Coast.
  We must ask, why renew whale hunting? What will they do with the 
whales that they catch? The Makah Tribe has not hunted whales for over 
70 years. That is not a part of their diet at all. No, this is not 
subsistence. This is commercial whaling. One gray whale is worth $1 
million in Japan.
  The Makah Tribe has established contact with the Norwegian and 
Japanese whaling interests. Boats and modern stun or explosive harpoons 
are available. The Seattle Times reported on April 13, and I quote,

       The proposed hunt is allied with efforts by the commercial 
     interests in Japan and Norway that hope to turn the tide 
     against anti-whaling sentiment by promoting what they call 
     ``community based whaling among indigenous people for 
     cultural, dietary or economic reasons.''.
  I want to read that again.

       The proposed hunt is allied with efforts by the commercial 
     interests in Japan and Norway that hope to turn the tide 
     against anti-whaling sentiment by promoting what they call 
     ``community based whaling among indigenous people for 
     cultural, dietary or economic reasons.''

  Again, I must question the validity of the proposal and the 
motivations behind the renewed whale harvest. The fact that many whales 
are creatures that routinely migrate the globe demands a consistent 
international policy.
  If a few native groups are allowed to harvest whales, then Japan and 
Norway deserve and they will demand the same. They have hunted whales 
through all recorded history. This policy is a step we must not take.
  Mr. Speaker, the grim history of commercial whaling must not be 
repeated, and I will do my best to see that it is not. In response to 
this action, I am drafting a letter to the International Whaling 
Commission meeting in October asking that they refuse the Makah 
proposal. I urge every Member of Congress to sign this letter or call 
my office and have their name added. I believe a firm statement by this 
House will turn the tide and defeat the commercial whaling resolution.

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