Suit filed to end Makah whaling

Associated Press

SEATTLE — A coalition of animal-welfare groups filed suit Thursday in U.S. District Court, challenging the Makah tribe’s authority to hunt gray whales off the northwest coast of Washington.

The Fund for Animals, The Humane Society of the United States and several other groups want no whaling until a more comprehensive environmental review is conducted, said Gary Kahn, a Portland, Ore., lawyer representing the groups.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has conducted two environmental assessments, but the complaint alleges they were inadequate. The plaintiffs say a broader environmental impact statement is warranted, Kahn said.

Fisheries service spokesman Brian Gorman countered that studies already conducted show the whaling does not pose a threat to the environment.

"It was our conclusion that removing five whales from a population of about 26,000 gray whales would not have a major impact on the biology of gray whales or the environment in which they live," Gorman said Thursday.

The fisheries service’s most recent environmental assessment, issued last July, cleared the hunts to resume.

The government has 60 days to respond to the complaint, which accuses the fisheries service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association of violating two federal laws: the National Environmental Policy Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which allows only Alaska tribes to hunt whales.

The Makah’s right to whale is outlined in their 1855 treaty. The tribe moved to resume the hunt when the whales were taken off the Endangered Species List in 1994.

After making their case to the International Whaling Commission, Makah whalers were allocated 20 whales through 2002. They killed one, on May 17, 1999, their first in more than 70 years.

Messages left with Makah tribal leaders Thursday afternoon were not returned. In the past, the tribe has defended its whaling tradition, calling it a central part of its identity.

"Whaling may have been a tradition in the past, but there is nothing traditional about cruelly shooting these majestic creatures with high-powered rifles," said Michael Markarian, vice president of The Fund for Animals.

This is the latest in a series of attempts to prevent future Makah whale hunts.

In 1997, former U.S. Rep. Jack Metcalf, R-Wash., and several environmental groups sued to stop whaling. They lost in U.S. District Court, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later overturned the ruling, saying the environmental impact of the hunt had not been adequately considered.

The Makah put any hunting on hold after the decision, and the fisheries service weighed four alternatives ranging from no hunt at all to a hunt with a five-whale annual limit.

Last summer, the agency concluded that Makah whaling would not threaten the gray whale population.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this… Continue reading

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. on Broadway.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.