THE CLOCK IS TICKING .......
The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has just released a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) analyzing the environmental impacts associated with its proposal to seek a gray whale quota from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to permit the Makah Tribe of Northwest Washington to resume aboriginal subsistence whaling. It is imperative that every individual and organization concerned about whales react to the NMFS management review and submit substantive comments on the DEA opposing any effort by NMFS to seek a quota or to permit the Makah to resume whaling.
Such a quota, if granted, would set precedent for an expansion of aboriginal subsistence whaling throughout the world and may be used as a foundation to ultimately resume commercial whaling. The available evidence suggests that pro-whaling countries are working with the Makah to secure the gray whale quota.
The DEA came about as a result of a letter submitted by Australians for Animals (AFA) and Breach Marine Protection (BREACH) alleging that the NMFS had blatantly failed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act when it entered into an agreement with the Makah to seek the gray whale quota from the IWC. The DEA provides an opportunity for ALL whale advocates to raise substantive concerns and questions about the proposed quota. If enough substantive issues are raised, the NMFS may not have any choice but to, at least, delay seeking the quota until it can address the public's concerns and comments.
Issues that you may want to raise in commenting on the DEA, include:
This list is preliminary; if you need advice, please contact: djschubert@aol.com
A copy of the DEA is available by email in an attached file or can be split from BreachEnv@aol.com Hard copy can be obtained by calling the NMFS, Office of Protected Resources, at +1 (301) 713-2319 or contact D.J. Schubert at +1 (202) 588-5206 or by e-mail at djschubert@aol.comFor NMFS address and fax no. contact: djschubert@aol.com
In addition, if you would like a copy of the original letter sent by AFA and Breach Marine Protection to the NMFS, contact D.J. Schubert or David Smith on email: BreachEnv@aol.com or +44 (0)1405 769375 (tele/fax) or 0973 898282 (mobile/ answerphone)
Please forward all copies of your comments on the DEA to:
David Smith
Campaign Director
Breach Marine Protection UK
email: BreachEnv@aol.com
Tel/Fax: +44 1405 769375
http://members.aol.com/breachenv/home.htm
Rapid Env. Disaster - Response. & Rescue
(R.E.'D.R.Res) Hotline: 0973 898282
Popular Resolution on Abolition of Inhumane
Commercial Slaughter of Whales - Sign-On Petition:
http://members.aol.com/breachenv/popreslt.htm
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