The Makah Tribe in Washington State has received approval to resume whale hunting after a 25-year pause, granted by U.S. federal authorities. The tribe, with a treaty allowing whale hunting, is working towards reviving cultural traditions and community health through this decision.
The Makah Tribe in Washington State has received approval from U.S. federal authorities to resume whale hunting after a hiatus of 25 years. On June 13, 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) granted the tribe a waiver under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, allowing them to hunt up to 25 Eastern North Pacific gray whales over the next decade, with a limit of two to three whales annually. This marks the tribe’s first sanctioned whale hunts since 1999.
Situated on the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, the Makah are the only Native American tribe with a treaty explicitly granting them the right to hunt whales. Their whaling tradition, which dates back centuries, was halted in the early 20th century due to the depletion of whale populations by commercial whalers.
Despite the approval, the Makah must still complete several steps before resuming whale hunting. They need to enter into a cooperative agreement with NOAA and obtain a permit, a process that includes a month-long public comment period. Additionally, animal rights groups may challenge the decision in court.
The tribe, consisting of about 1,500 members, aims to revive its cultural practices and improve community health by resuming these traditional hunts, which have historically played a vital role in Makah society. Whaling is embedded in their cultural rituals, songs, and dances, and the whale meat is consumed during tribal ceremonies.
