Lee Metcalf: “this week the International Whaling Commission is meeting in Scotland. One of the major issues it is considering is…”

“this week the International Whaling Commission is meeting in Scotland. One of the major issues it is considering is whether to allow the Makah Tribe of Washington State to hunt and kill gray whales, which were on the endangered species list just 2 years ago. Incredibly the U.S. delegation to the commission supports the plan, but seven elders of the Makah Tribe strongly oppose the plan. One has questioned the motives of tribal officials, fearing the hunt will become a commercial enterprise. According to the Seattle Post Intelligencer, one gray whale could fetch as much as $1 million in Japan. Norwegian whaling interests have offered the tribe harpoons and a boat. Thirteen native groups in Canada have already indicated their intention to resume whaling if the Makah Tribe is given a green light by the IWC. The Makah tribal leaders say they want to take only five whales a year; but then how many more would be taken by the other native groups? Where would commercial whaling stop if it is started?”