Makah Tribe prepares for whale hunt as permit decision remains pending

The Makah Tribe is preparing to resume its traditional whale hunt while a federal permit decision remains pending, according to KNKX Public Radio. Tribal leaders said the permit application, submitted more than a year ago to the marine fisheries division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has not received a response. 

The tribe submitted a request this winter to amend the application to begin hunting in July. Christopher Martinez, chief of staff for the Makah Tribal Council, said the delay has been frustrating after years of compliance with federal requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Members of the Makah Whaling Commission said crews are actively training and preparing, and they identified the pending permit approval as the primary obstacle to resuming the hunt.