whales in the news
Speaking of killer whales [slog], which have recently been found to be among the few animals known to pass on traditions to other members of their group [newscientist], there will be an opportunity for Seattleites to make their opinions about the Makah tribe’s desire to hunt gray whales known.
The tribe’s right to hunt whales was outlined in an 1855 treaty, and ever since the gray whale made it off the endangered species list, their request to resume hunting off the coast of the Olympic Peninsula has been incredibly contentious [historylink]. Although the y managed to kill one whale in 1999, hunting has been on hold ever since as the matter made its way through the courts.
This road back to whale killing involves three public hearings scheduled to take place in October. Before any decisions can be made, the U.S. government must create an Environmental Impact Statement in response to the Makah proposal to re-resume whaling. It seems incredibly convoluted, but you can have your say about saving the whales (or not) without leaving town — a meeting will take place in Seattle on 11 October at the Naval Reserve Building in South Lake Union Park in Seattle. [p-i]. It should be dramatic, at least.
Related posts:
- in other blogs : weekend news catchup, communism for sale, dogs in the water, whale hunts, blog revelations
- Bellingham watch: dead rare whale
- p.c.c. solves age-old paper vs. plastic quandry
- Orcas officially endangered
- disaster! various angles news roundup
