November 19, 1999 Issue #8
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Safe Passing Update Newsletter (SPUN) URGENT: ACTION NEEDED BY MONDAY As many of you have probably already heard, Washington State Governor Gary Locke recently stated that he opposes the Makah gray whale hunt. After meeting with "Peninsula Citizens for the Protection of Whales" founders Chuck and Margaret Owens and Makah Elder Alberta Thompson, the Governor announced that he would look into the possibility of Washington State being able to stop the whale hunt. The state has the authority over federal decisions in matters where local biological populations are threatened. (Picture of Chuck and Alberta meeting with Gov. Locke: http://www.safepassing.org/pow) IMPORTANT: The news leaking out of Washington State's capital is that a decision will be made THIS MONDAY about whether or not to pursue the possibility of intervention in the Makah whale hunt. Below is a list of people to contact immediately as they are the ones that will be advising Governor Locke. John Calambokidis and Jim Darling have been studying the gray whales off the coasts of Washington and British Columbia for several years. Both biologists have found evidence that a distinct seasonal resident population of gray whales inhabit the waters off Neah Bay where the Makah are hunting. If the Makah kill whales from this population, the results could lead to a "management problem," in the words of Calambokidis. The Makah have stated that they will not kill a seasonal resident whale, but according to Dr. Darling it is very unlikely that any gray whale swimming past Neah Bay before December 1 would be other than a seasonal resident. Yet, the National Marine Fisheries Service currently allows the Makah to start hunting on October 1. Much more research is needed to determine the size, composition, and sociology of this seasonal resident gray whale population. It is also needed to determine the effects that hunting will have on their population. It is important for the state of Washington to request a moratorium on the hunt until such research has been completed. Otherwise, there is no way to know what damage may be done to this population of whales. Here are some points to make when calling and writing: - Thank the Governor for his decision to see what Washington State can do to stop the Makah gray whale hunt. - Mention that the seasonal resident population of gray whales in Washington State are very important for several reasons: Aesthetic, Economic (whale watching, state tourism), scientific, intrinsic value, etc. Please think of others. - Not enough is yet known about our seasonal residents to know what will happen to their population if up to five per year are hunted. From the little that is known about this population, there could be anywhere from less than 200 up to 500 whales. - IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE HUNTING OF GRAY WHALES BE STOPPED UNTIL FURTHER STUDIES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. SUCH STUDIES ARE NECESSARY TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS THAT HUNTING COULD HAVE ON THE RESIDENT POPULATION! - Reiterate that the hunt was never sanctioned by the IWC. This information should be mailed and/or called in. Only use e-mail as a last resort since it is unlikely they pay as much attention to it. People to contact: GOVERNOR GARY LOCKE Dr. Jeffrey P. Koenings Rocky Beach (yes, this is a real person) SECRETARY OF STATE RALPH MUNRO WASHINGTON STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Thanks to Erin O'Connell of Sea Shepherd and Joe Olson of American Cetacean Society for this information.) ______________________________________________________________________ Safe Passing - http://www.safepassing.org |
