GRAY WHALES

Hi,

Today's post is going to be focused on the beloved Gray Whales. For those of you who are unaware of their history, Gray Whales once roamed many of the world's oceans. Two races lived on either side of the Atlantic but were hunted to extinction in the 18th century. Unfortunately, the whales had a habit of hauling out onto sand bars, making them easy prey for hunters.

In 2010, the only remaining populations are the Western Pacific Gray Whale which is ecologically extinct with less than 100 Whales. These Whales are found around the Sea of Japan and the Okotsh Sea near Korea. Major oil exploration has almost certainly caused a significant decline in this population as Gray Whales are very sensitive to noise.

The only remaining viable population of this, the most ancient baleen whale left on Planet Earth, is the Eastern North Pacific Gray Whale, otherwise known as the California Gray Whale.

For many years, the only people who have slaughtered these whales are from Chukotka. Some years ago, an investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency found that Chukotkan people had been using the allotted gray whale quota to feed foxes on fox farms. Up to 175 whales a year, far more than the Chukotkan people killed traditionally.

One hunter from the area had this to say according to a report by Christopher D. Stone.

" We never asked for the gray whales. Not even the Chuchki people did. Gray whales were taken in the old days by the local people, maybe fifteen a year. But only occasionally... they are dangerous. They attack to protect their young. Sometimes the leading bull will attack whaling boats as soon as he sees them. And the meat is no good."

The Yupik name for Gray Whales translates into English as something like " the one that makes you shit fast."

Although the Russian Federation says that the Gray Whales killed in Chukotka are no longer fed to fox farms, there is anecdotal evidence that the practice continues.

It is interesting to note that under the pre-cursor of the current IWC convention, the original Convention for the Regulation of whaling had this to say about indigenous whaling.

* The present convention does not apply to aborigines dwelling on the coasts of the territories of the High Contracting Parties provided that:

1. They only use canoes, pirogues or other exclusively native craft propelled by oars or sails:

2. They do not carry firearms:

3. They are not in the employment of persons other than aborigines:

4. They are not under contract to deliver the products of their whaling to any third person.

The California Gray Whale is an extremely vulnerable species, a specialist feeder reliant on climatic conditions. A number of scientists believe this whale could well be the first baleen whale casualty of climate change.

Don't let the IWC set a 10 year quota of 1,400 Gray Whales. Email the relevant authorities your protest, their emails are on the home page of the California Gray Whale Coalition website.

www.californiagraywhalecoalition.org

For the Whales !

Sue