The IWMC World Conservation Trust understands the International Whaling Commission rules under which permits for aboriginal subsistence whaling are granted. We have no argument with those permits now in use, although we wish to remind the Commissioners that we and other observers of the IWC process recognize that in some cases, these rules have been "bent" or molded to accommodate the cultural or economic needs of those who rely upon them. 

Now the IWC is about to review again, a case of a new permit for aboriginal subsistence whaling.  The Makah Tribe of the U.S. northwest coast are very anxious to resume their traditional hunt for gray whales, for both cultural reasons of tribal unity in the act of whaling, and because they have a longing for the meat and other products in their diet once again.  It appears that their entire goal is to satisfy cultural needs, simultaneously, of course, meeting their nutritional needs in this way, although they have physically survived without this food source for seventy years. 

IWMC World Conservation Trust notes that some IWC Parties object to this renewal of whaling, ostensibly on grounds that their physical survival for the past seventy years is an indication that the Makah "do not really need" to resume whaling.  We reject this cultural judgement, noting that other permitees might also be able to physically survive without whaling, yet, they are granted their requests because they have deeply felt spiritual and cultural needs which are fulfilled through community whaling. 

We suspect that these objections have nothing to do with Makah needs, but are based on the fear that Aboriginal peoples in certain countries, noting that whaling permits for others have been granted on the basis of cultural need, would themselves, ask for such permits.  Such might well be the case in, for instance, Australia or New Zealand, where Aboriginal peoples' awareness of such matters is growing.  In these nations, whose leaders have adamantly opposed any resumption of whaling, there is fear that original peoples would attempt an embarrassing reversal of policy through awareness campaigns or human rights lawsuits, with the goal of enabling them to at least utilize stranded animals.  Such behavior would be politically uncomfortable for national leadership, and therefore, it is possible that the leaders of Australia and New Zealand are presently opposed to Makah whaling resumption because of what they view as a troubling precedent.  Their approval would be inconsistent with their present denial of similr rights to their own Aboriginal constituencies. 

The IWMC World Conservation Trust encourages all Parties to the ICRW to base their votes or consensus opinions regarding the Makah proposal, on testimony from scientists, who assure us that the five whales shall have no adverse impact on the stock, and on the sincere testimony of the Makah themselves, regarding the importance of this whaling to their community.