Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - July 24, 2008)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

By Mr. STEVENS (for himself and Ms. Murkowski):

S. 3333. A bill to amend the Whaling Convention Act so that it expressly applies to aboriginal subsistence whaling, and in particular, authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to set bowhead whale catch limits in the event that the IWC fails to adopt such limits; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, currently, annual catch limits for subsistence whaling by Alaskan natives is set through periodic negotiations of the international whaling commission. In setting the quota, the IWC has tremendous power to influence the lives--even the survival--of these aboriginal communities.

For over 30 years I have worked with the International Whaling Commission to secure the right for native Alaskans to hunt bowhead whales and preserve their subsistence lifestyle. Currently, native Alaskans living in 10 villages on Alaska's north slope and St. Lawrence Island carry forward an ancient tradition of harvesting small numbers of bowhead whales. Not only do these whales serve as a primary source of food for the communities, but they define their very identity and culture.

The Alaska natives who rely on this subsistence hunt have complied with the mandates passed down from the IWC to ensure a sustainable and humane harvest. In fact, since the IWC began regulating these catches, the number of bowhead whales in the Arctic has risen substantially.

The IWC, however, may not always produce the bowhead quota upon which Alaska natives depend due to political games. Over the last several years, I have seen other nations attempt to influence the U.S. position on other whaling issues at the IWC by specifically interfering with the native Alaskans bowhead quota votes. This is unacceptable. Any positions on whaling issues under IWC's purview need to be debated on their own merits. It is unthinkable to allow other countries to use

The health and welfare of our Alaska natives, whose lives depend on this hunt, as leverage for influencing U.S. positions on other IWC matters.

The legislation I am introducing will ensure that native Alaskans maintain their rights to engage in subsistence whaling--an ancient practice vital to their culture and survival. This bill would amend the Whaling Convention Act of 1949 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to issue bowhead whale catch limits for aboriginal subsistence whaling in Alaska native communities.

This bill ensures that the U.S. will continue to seek and negotiate bowhead whaling quota through the IWC. But if the IWC is unable to issue bowhead whaling quota, the Secretary of Commerce could then issue domestic aboriginal subsistence whaling permits. Such action would need to ensure consistency with IWC rules on subsistence whaling ensuring safe, sustainable, and humane hunts, and the harvest must not exceed the original subsistence needs recommended by the U.S.

The IWC has the great responsibility of ensuring that any subsistence whaling, now or in the future, is carried out in a scientifically sound and sustainable manner. I continue to support the IWC's efforts on this vital issue. yet the United States must also protect the rights of our native communities to continue their ancient subsistence bowhead harvesting. This bill strikes the proper balance between supporting IWC work and protecting our Alaska native communities. I thank my colleagues for considering this important legislation.

Source