=====  A message from the 'makahwhaling' discussion list  =====

FROM WCCA
---------------------
May 15, 1999 - 12:11 pm

The Makah have not been successful in their first harpoon attempt. They did,
indeed, have a confirmed strike on a gray whale, but the barb came loose,
and they lost contact. They are currently attempting to find and kill
another whale.

At this moment, an injured gray whale is swimming in the Olympic National
Marine Sanctuary, and the Coast Guard has effectively taken out all protest
boats, with the exception of Paul Watson's 'Sirenian', formerly known as the
'Edward Abbey.'

We have unconfirmed reports that a significant number of boats have been
seen leaving Victoria, B.C. harbor at high speed and are heading for the
area.
*****



SEDNA UPDATE
-------------------------
May 15, 1999 (11:02 a.m.)

COAST GUARD SEIZES SEA DEFENSE ALLIANCE FLAGSHIP, FILE CHARGES AGAINST CREW

NEAH BAY, WA
At least two anti-whaling activists have been arrested and eight others
being detained along with the Sea Defense Alliance (SEDNA) flagship here at
the Coast Guard Station at Neah Bay.

Jonathan Paul, skipper of the SEDNA 42-foot boat, said from his cellphone
about 11 a.m. that the group's flagship is "out of action" after the Coast
Guard seized it. Earlier this week the group's 19-foot inflatable was
seized after it allegedly came between the Makah whalers and a Gray Whale
they were hunting. Two SEDNA activists were arrested.

Paul said neither he nor any member of the 8-member crew had yet been
arrested, but are being told they are being charged with a violation of
Marine Mammal Fisheries Act.

"We did not hit a whale. We were there to protect it from killers, who are
the ones who should be charged. They are just trying to keep us from being
free to protect the whales," said Paul. "How odd that they charge us with
attempting to hurt a whale, and protect and not charge those trying to kill
them," he added.

Video of the confrontation early this morning apparently backs up Paul's
claim that his boat did not hit a whale.

"The man (Paul) is a hero...these charges are absurd, and we will prove
that in court," said Helga Kahr, the SEDNA attorney.

Also Saturday, as of 11 a.m., a Sea Shepherd activist on an inflatable and
another activist on a jet ski have been arrested for allegedly interfering
with the hunt.
*****