Some quick points on the subject of Gray Whale harvest:

The gray whale was delisted, not downlisted to threatened, in 1994. The USFWS
took the action based largely on a NMFS recommendation. The decision was
contentious. The Marine Mammal Commission (an independent agency of the
Executive Branch) recommended downlisting to threatened, for example.

The Treaty of Neah Bay (1855) is the only treaty with a North American tribe
that specifically provides for harvest of gray whales. At a national level, the
Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits "take" of gray whales, but the MMPA does
not abrogate pre-existing treaty rights.

The Makah said "no" to offers of assistance from Japan and Norway.

The following web site may be of interest to those curious about aboriginal
harvest of marine mammals: http://www.highnorth.no/default.htm

Thanks to those Tweeters who have tolerated, if not enjoyed, the non-bird
discussion.

--
Scott Richardson
northeast Seattle
salix at halcyon.com