Makah whale hunt could start anytime!

[Guest guest]

Personal note: Anti-whaling activists in their boats are ready to come

between the whalers and the whales while the suits are in court seeking

legal assistance. PLEASE send a donation - as much as possible - to keep

them afloat! They're risking their lives to save whales - let's support

them to the best of our ability, hope that the injunctive relief is granted,

and think the whales away from the Strait, think them well out in the ocean,

think them safe passage!

 

For more information and alerts, see www.safepassing.org,

www.oceandefense.org , or www.usagainstwhaling.org.

 

Dian

 

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

 

FROM WASHINGTON CITIZENS' COASTAL ALLIANCE

 

 

HUNT IMMINENT?

 

Sekiu, WA

2330 PDT

 

All the pieces are in place for a hunt to begin anytime. Reports today

indicate that the Coast Guard has amassed a formidable armada in Neah Bay,

including the cutters Osprey and Cuttyhunk, the Makah chase boat is zooming

around, and a full crew of paddlers manned the whaling canoe during practice

sessions today. To top it off, the Coast Guard did their ritual " drive-by "

tonight in Sekiu, photographing and videotaping the protest vessels

currently moored here. Several other items also lead to the conclusion that

an attempt may be coming soon, perhaps within days.

 

With the recent press attention of their activities, the filing of a Motion

for Injunction in the pending court case and the growing worry of dealing

with the IWC this spring, it appears the Makah whalers are feeling the

pressure to act- NOW!

 

We'll keep you updated as events occur, but stay tuned over the next few

days, as they will be critical. And PLEASE don't forget to help the groups

on the water! Please send donations for the Makah Spring 2002 campaign to

Ocean Defense International, P.O. Box 51, Sekiu, WA 98381. To donate money

for fuel by credit card, please call (360) 963-2311.

*****

 

 

 

INJUNCTION IS SOUGHT TO HALT TRIBE'S SPRING HUNT

------------------------

 

Hal Bernton

Seattle Times

April 16, 2002

 

Opponents of Makah whaling went to federal court yesterday seeking an

injunction to block a possible spring hunt of Pacific gray whales.

The Fund for Animals, The Humane Society and other opposition groups filed

the motion in U.S. District Court, arguing that the hunt should not go

forward until the court has had time to rule on the merits of a lawsuit

filed last January challenging the hunt.

 

That lawsuit charges that the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the

National Environmental Policy Act by failing to fully study the effects of a

hunt that has been expanded to include areas within the Strait of Juan de

Fuca.

 

The new motion says an injunction is needed to prevent irreparable harm,

particularly to those gray whales that linger in the strait and would be

open to the hunt under new federal harvest rules.

 

" We are hopeful that they (the Makah) will be respectful of the process and

hold off on hunting whales until this (lawsuit) is resolved, " said Michael

Markarian of the Fund for Animals.

 

John Arum, an attorney for the Makahs, said tribal hunters have no intention

of voluntarily sitting out the spring hunt season. " We are not going to act

as if we're enjoined, unless we're enjoined,' Arum said. " We don't believe

their claims have any merit. "

 

National Marine Fisheries Service officials say they fully examined the

risks of the hunt in an environmental assessment that is now being

challenged in court. Brian Gorman, a spokesman for the fisheries service,

said the new motion for a preliminary injunction is " not unexpected. "

 

(WCCA note: the Motion for Injunction can be downloaded at

www.safepassing.org)

*****