SEATTLE — The Makah Tribe wants to resume hunting gray whales, and on Friday the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a draft environmental impact statement related to that request.
The tribe has a legal right to hunt whales based on an 1855 treaty -- and last legally hunted a whale for ceremonial purposes in 1999.
The tribe has been asking for the ability to resume hunting whales since 2005.
"The tribe hopes it leads to being able to practice our traditions, our culture," Makah Tribal Council Chairman TJ Greene said Friday.
NOAA is considering a range of options, from not allowing any hunting at all, to allowing up to five per year.
While eastern North Pacific gray whales have a strong population of around 20,000, other types of gray whales, including those that spend much of their time near Russia, also appear off the Washington coast and are far more endangered.
"The loss of even one of those whales to whaling by the Makah would be disastrous," said D.J. Schubert, Wildlife Biologist with the Animal Welfare Institute, which opposes the tribe's request.
Federal scientists say they want to make sure those whales are protected and might consider allowing hunting only at times when they're unlikely to be in the area.
NOAA plans public meetings in April.
A decision is expected in a year or two.