[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 122 (Thursday, July 24, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7300-S7301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. STEVENS (for himself and Ms. Murkowski):
  S. 3333. A bill to amend the Whaling Convention Act so that it 
expressly applies to aboriginal subsistence whaling, and in particular, 
authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to set bowhead whale catch limits 
in the event that the IWC fails to adopt such limits; to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, currently, annual catch limits for 
subsistence whaling by Alaskan natives is set through periodic 
negotiations of the international whaling commission. In setting the 
quota, the IWC has tremendous power to influence the lives--even the 
survival--of these aboriginal communities.
  For over 30 years I have worked with the International Whaling 
Commission to secure the right for native Alaskans to hunt bowhead 
whales and preserve their subsistence lifestyle. Currently, native 
Alaskans living in 10 villages on Alaska's north slope and St. Lawrence 
Island carry forward an ancient tradition of harvesting small numbers 
of bowhead whales. Not only do these whales serve as a primary source 
of food for the communities, but they define their very identity and 
culture.
  The Alaska natives who rely on this subsistence hunt have complied 
with the mandates passed down from the IWC to ensure a sustainable and 
humane harvest. In fact, since the IWC

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began regulating these catches, the number of bowhead whales in the 
Arctic has risen substantially.
  The IWC, however, may not always produce the bowhead quota upon which 
Alaska natives depend due to political games. Over the last several 
years, I have seen other nations attempt to influence the U.S. position 
on other whaling issues at the IWC by specifically interfering with the 
native Alaskans bowhead quota votes. This is unacceptable. Any 
positions on whaling issues under IWC's purview need to be debated on 
their own merits. It is unthinkable to allow other countries to use The 
health and welfare of our Alaska natives, whose lives depend on this 
hunt, as leverage for influencing U.S. positions on other IWC matters.

  The legislation I am introducing will ensure that native Alaskans 
maintain their rights to engage in subsistence whaling--an ancient 
practice vital to their culture and survival. This bill would amend the 
Whaling Convention Act of 1949 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce 
to issue bowhead whale catch limits for aboriginal subsistence whaling 
in Alaska native communities.
  This bill ensures that the U.S. will continue to seek and negotiate 
bowhead whaling quota through the IWC. But if the IWC is unable to 
issue bowhead whaling quota, the Secretary of Commerce could then issue 
domestic aboriginal subsistence whaling permits. Such action would need 
to ensure consistency with IWC rules on subsistence whaling ensuring 
safe, sustainable, and humane hunts, and the harvest must not exceed 
the original subsistence needs recommended by the U.S.
  The IWC has the great responsibility of ensuring that any subsistence 
whaling, now or in the future, is carried out in a scientifically sound 
and sustainable manner. I continue to support the IWC's efforts on this 
vital issue. yet the United States must also protect the rights of our 
native communities to continue their ancient subsistence bowhead 
harvesting. This bill strikes the proper balance between supporting IWC 
work and protecting our Alaska native communities. I thank my 
colleagues for considering this important legislation.

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