In a long-awaited decision, the United States has granted the Makah Indian Tribe a waiver that paves the way for their first sanctioned whale hunts since 1999. The approval has reignited the ongoing clash between the tribe and animal rights activists.

The Makah Tribe, consisting of 1,500 people residing on the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state, holds a unique position as the only Native American tribe with a treaty explicitly granting them the right to hunt whales. However, legal battles, bureaucratic hearings, and scientific evaluations have plagued their efforts to resume hunting gray whales for over two decades.

The recent decision by NOAA Fisheries grants the tribe a waiver under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which typically prohibits the harm of marine mammals. The waiver permits the Makah Tribe to hunt up to 25 Eastern North Pacific gray whales over a period of 10 years, with an annual limit of two to three. It is important to note that the population of these whales currently stands at approximately 20,000.

While the tribe is celebrating this decision, they express their dissatisfaction with the lengthy process. Makah Tribal Council Chairman Timothy J. Greene Sr. emphasized the significance of whaling in their culture and the spiritual connection they have with the Gray Whale. He also acknowledged that the delay has caused the loss of knowledge from elders and hindered younger generations from experiencing the traditions and benefits of whaling.

To ensure the hunts avoid harm to endangered Western North Pacific gray whales (estimated 200 to 300 remaining) and a group of approximately 200 gray whales that frequently feed along the Northwest coast during summer and fall, the timing of the hunts will be carefully planned.

However, several challenges still lie ahead for the Makah Tribe. They must enter into a cooperative agreement with the agency under the Whaling Convention Act and obtain a permit for hunting, a process that involves a month-long public comment period. Animal rights advocates, who have consistently opposed whale hunting, may also challenge NOAA's decision in court. While the Washington, D.C.-based Animal Welfare Institute intends to object to the issuance of the hunt permit, they plan to wait until final approvals are given before considering legal action.

DJ Schubert, a senior wildlife biologist at the Animal Welfare Institute, underscored their respect for the tribe's cultural practices and traditions. However, Schubert voiced disagreement with the notion that hunting whales is necessary to preserve those traditions. He urged the Makah Tribe and the government to reconsider their stance on hunting and instead advocate for whale protection in the face of climate change, highlighting the unpredictable future of the Eastern North Pacific gray whale population.

With the waiver granted, the Makah Indian Tribe is moving closer to reclaiming their ability to carry out ancestral whaling traditions. However, the debate between cultural heritage and animal rights continues to divide opinions, and the tribe must overcome remaining hurdles before resuming their hunts.