I 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5898 
To amend the Whaling Convention Act to require the Secretary of Commerce 
to authorize aboriginal subsistence whaling as permitted by the regula-
tions of the International Whaling Commission and to set aboriginal 
subsistence catch limits for bowhead whales in the event the Commission 
fails to adopt such limits, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 5, 2012 
Mr. YOUNG of Alaska introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend the Whaling Convention Act to require the Sec-
retary of Commerce to authorize aboriginal subsistence 
whaling as permitted by the regulations of the Inter-
national Whaling Commission and to set aboriginal sub-
sistence catch limits for bowhead whales in the event 
the Commission fails to adopt such limits, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Whaling Convention 
Amendments Act of 2012’’. 
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SEC. 2. AMENDMENT OF WHALING CONVENTION ACT. 
The Whaling Convention Act of 1949 (16 U.S.C. 916 
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 15. ABORIGINAL SUBSISTENCE WHALING. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Commerce, or 
such officer as may be designated by the Secretary, shall 
authorize aboriginal subsistence whaling pursuant to para-
graph 13 of the regulations of the Commission (or any 
successor to such paragraph), if such whaling— 
‘‘(1) is for subsistence purposes (including the 
sale of authentic native articles of handicrafts and 
clothing); 
‘‘(2) does not include the striking, taking, or 
killing of calves or any whale accompanied by a calf; 
and 
‘‘(3) is not accomplished in a wasteful manner. 
‘‘(b) CATCH LIMITS FOR BOWHEAD WHALES.— 
‘‘(1) REQUIREMENT TO ESTABLISH.—The Sec-
retary of Commerce shall establish catch limits for 
the Alaska Native aboriginal subsistence hunt of 
bowhead whales for any year or set of years, if the 
Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(A) the Commission has failed to adopt 
catch limits applicable to the hunt for such year 
or set of years; and 
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‘‘(B) the biological status of the affected 
bowhead stock or stocks is such that, based on 
the most recent review of the status of such 
stock or stocks by the Scientific Committee of 
the Commission, the aboriginal subsistence 
needs statement submitted by the United States 
to the Commission for that year or set of years 
is sustainable. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—The catch limits established 
by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall not ex-
ceed the aboriginal subsistence needs statement sub-
mitted by the United States to the Commission. 
‘‘(3) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in paragraph 
(1) relieves the United States Commissioner of his 
or her obligation to continue seeking adoption by the 
Commission, pursuant to the paragraph 13 of the 
regulations of the Commission or any successor 
paragraph that permits aboriginal subsistence whal-
ing, of catch limits that provide for Alaska Native 
aboriginal subsistence need for bowhead whales.’’. 
SEC. 3. IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce 
shall issue any regulations necessary to implement section 
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15 of the Whaling Convention Act of 1949, as added by 
section 2. 
(b) REVIEW AND UPDATES.—The Secretary of Com-
merce shall review and update such regulations as needed, 
and at least once every 5 years, after the date on which 
the Secretary of Commerce issues the regulations as a 
final rule. 
Æ 
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