Sullivan Applauds Subsistence Whaling Quota Renewal at Iwc Meeting in Brazil

Press Release

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today applauded the hard work of the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (AEWC) and the entire U.S. delegation for their efforts at the 67th International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Florianopolis, Brazil to renew subsistence whaling quota for seven more years and to secure for the first time the automatic renewal of its whaling quota as long as harvests remain sustainable. The measure passed earlier today by a vote of 58 to 7.

"This is a momentous day for all those who reside on the North Slope and Bering Strait regions and I share in the joy that is undoubtedly felt today in villages from Kaktovik to Little Diomede," said Senator Sullivan. "Today's decision means that the Alaska Native hunters will be able to continue their traditional cultural practice and provide food security for generations to come.

"Importantly, the IWC has adopted an automatic renewal clause which will reauthorize current quotas -- established in 1997 and endorsed by the scientific community on an annual basis -- so long as the science says harvests remain sustainable," Sullivan said. "This a huge victory for the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, who for years has had to fight every six years to maintain their right to subsistence whale harvest."

"I congratulate the AEWC, which, for decades, has demonstrated a commitment to science and sustainability. And I congratulate the brave Alaska delegation who so aptly represented our state's whalers -- led by North Slope Borough Mayor Harry Brower, and AEWC Vice-chair Crawford Patkotak-- at the 67th International Whaling Commission meeting in Brazil," said Sullivan. "Finally, I want to thank the members of U.S. Delegation to the IWC, ably led by U.S. Commissioner Ryan Wulff, NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Chris Oliver, and their colleagues with NOAA and the State Department, for their dedication, expertise, and countless hours of work that went into making today's result possible."

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