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Whale protest slated for Saturday

04/12/2002

 

Reported by Greg Copeland, NWCN (www.nwcn.com)

 

SEATTLE - Animal rights groups say Saturday will be world-wide protest

against hunting of gray whales by Makah tribal families, some of which are

expected to be hunting again this year.

 

Protests are set for Washington, California, Vancouver, B-C and Germany,

they said.

 

" We're going to be up there with our boat to go out and do what we've done

every year, which is to try to protect the whales and keep an eye on what

the tribe is doing. We're not anti-Makah, we're pro-whale, " said Tami Drake

with

 

Once given a whaling permit, Makah families have 10 days to use it.

Ocean Defense International.

 

In the meantime, the National Marine Fisheries Service is being sued by

animal rights groups. asking for a more thorough environmental impact

statement on the effect of hunting on the whales.

 

While they are waiting for the judge's decision, the animal rights groups

say they plan to file an injunction in federal court on Monday to ban any

whaling until the judge makes that decision.

 

Gray whales are making their way up the Pacific coast right now

 

The Makah tribe last hunted them in the spring of 2000.

They've said they'll hunt again this year, but haven't said when.

 

Once the Tribal Whaling Commission issues a permit, it's valid for 10 days

and the family can hunt whenever it wants during that time period, said

Brian Gorman with the National Marine Fisheries Service.

 

" They've promised they'll give us 24 hours notice before they issue a

whaling permit, " he said

 

The Makah killed its first whale in more that 70 years just three years ago.

amid protest from animal rights groups around the world.

 

The tribe lay low last year, during a series of court battles, but are back

in the hunt this year.