Although a ceremonial harpoon is used for the first strike, the actual killing is done with a high-powered rifle capable of knocking out an artillery tank. This spring, several Makah families attempted to kill gray whales in Neah Bay. One of the protest boats was rammed by a Coast Guard vessel, injuring at least two activists. On April 17, a Coast Guard ship rammed Erin Abbott, a young anti-whaling activist piloting a jet ski. Erin did manage to prevent the killing of a whale, however, when the noise and movement of her craft caused the whale to dive out of danger.
Gray whales face other threats, as well.
Last year, DNA analysis revealed that gray whale meat was being openly sold in Japanese markets in Taiji and Nachikatsura. Russia continues to kill gray whales to use as feed on fox farms. In addition, gray whales are washing ashore along the California coast in increasing numbers. The unexplained die-off could be linked to ocean pollution or disruptions of the marine food chain caused by climate change. The White House now has to prepare an EIA that will review all the science involved regarding the health of the gray whale population.