Makah Tribe will Again Hunt Whales

By Isaac White

NOAA Fisheries has issued a final rule allowing the Makah Tribe of Washington State to resume their traditional practice of whale hunting, an integral aspect of their culture that dates back over 1,000 years. This decision comes after years of legal proceedings and meticulous scientific assessments, reflecting a profound recognition of the Makah Tribe's treaty rights and their deep-rooted connection to whaling.

The Makah Tribe, whose history and identity are deeply intertwined with whaling, has been granted the right to hunt up to 25 Eastern North Pacific gray whales over the next decade. This quota, established under the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and in accordance with the Treaty of Neah Bay of 1855, ensures the tribe's cultural practices are honored without compromising the whale population's sustainability.

Janet Coit, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, expressed the decision's significance, stating, “This final rule represents a major milestone in the process to return ceremonial and subsistence hunting of Eastern North Pacific gray whales to the Makah Tribe. The measures adopted today honor the Makah Tribe's treaty rights and their cultural whaling tradition that dates back well over 1,000 years, and is fundamental to their identity and heritage.”

The rule’s stipulations are comprehensive, ensuring the sustainability of the whale population and the safety of the marine environment. Before any hunt, the Makah Tribe must engage in a cooperative agreement under the Whaling Convention Act and obtain a specific hunt permit. Furthermore, the regulations set forth include time and area restrictions, harvest limits, low population thresholds, and strict monitoring and reporting requirements.

The path to this ruling has been extensive and complex. Initially, in 2005, the Makah Tribe requested a waiver from the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) moratorium on the take of gray whales for ceremonial and subsistence purposes. This request set off a series of environmental reviews and public hearings, reflecting the nuanced balance between cultural preservation and environmental conservation.

In April 2019, NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rule to issue a waiver under the MMPA, followed by a public hearing in November 2019 led by an administrative law judge in Seattle, Washington. The judge’s recommendations, along with public comments and environmental assessments, were crucial in forming the final decision, which was officially transmitted to NOAA Fisheries in September 2021.

The Eastern North Pacific gray whale population, the target of the Makah hunt, has been under close scientific scrutiny. Recent assessments estimate the population to be between 17,400 and 21,300 whales. NOAA Fisheries closed the Unusual Mortality Event for this population, which saw significant strandings from 2018 to 2023 but has since stabilized.

This decision also ensures the protection of the more vulnerable Western North Pacific gray whales and the Pacific Coast Feeding Group of Eastern North Pacific gray whales through adaptive management strategies. Such measures will enable the Makah to engage in their traditional practices without endangering these at-risk groups.

The Makah Tribe’s whaling tradition blends skill, spiritual preparation, and community involvement, reflecting a profound respect for nature. This age-old practice demands extensive spiritual and physical preparation, emphasizing the tribe’s deep sea connection.

Preparation starts long before setting sail. Each whaler engages in solitary prayer, fasting, and ceremonial bathing, seeking spiritual power and purification. This process, beginning in winter months, underscores the deep spiritual commitment needed.

On the hunt day, conditions must be ideal. The whalers, in cedar canoes designed for stealth, set out at daybreak, carefully navigating to avoid alerting the whales. They study the whales’ breathing patterns to anticipate their next surfacing. The lead hunter positions the canoe strategically for the harpooner, who uses a specially designed harpoon of yew wood and barbed elk antler to strike the whale effectively. Sealskin floats attached to the harpoon line help tire the whale.

Makah harpoons, incorporating traditional materials and methods, are tailored for durability and effectiveness. Post-strike, the hunt continues as whalers manage the injured whale, using sealskin floats to prevent it from diving deep and facilitate a safer approach for the final strike.

The hunt concludes with towing the whale to shore, a complex task that may require securing the whale’s mouth to prevent sinking. The community welcomes the hunters and their catch with celebratory songs and ceremonies, appreciating the spiritual guidance that contributed to the hunt’s success. Whale products are distributed for various uses, including crafting and sustenance.

The Makah’s historical connection to whaling, evident from archaeological findings at Ozette, was reaffirmed when they resumed whaling in 1999 after a 70-year hiatus. The recent NOAA decision to allow the Makah to continue whaling under strict regulations is a pivotal moment that respects treaty rights while promoting sustainable marine conservation, exemplifying a balance between indigenous practices and environmental stewardship.