Gray Whales

The actions of the federal government to remove the California gray whale from the endangered species list is ill-conceived (Nov. 19). It is true their numbers have returned to pre-exploitation levels (as best as can be computed). And it is true they are protected by the Mexican government in their Baja mating and calving grounds.

But the fact is we don’t know why gray whale numbers have increased significantly. Other whales that have been protected an equal length of time have perilously low numbers, such as the bowhead whale.

The threats from this action are grave indeed. Russia stated at this year’s International Whaling Commission meeting that it was interested in resuming whaling. This action by the federal government will enhance Soviet chances at the 1992 meeting. The removal of gray whales from the endangered species list will aid oil companies and coastal developers. They would no longer need special permits for commercial activities.

Gray whales are coastal feeders and therefore ingest significant quantities of pollutants with their food. We have seen extremely high levels of PCBs in bottlenose dolphins off the coast of Southern California. The potential threat to gray whales is great.

Twice in history, gray whales have recovered from near-extinction from whaling. It is simply not necessary to place them in jeopardy again.

MARIS SIDENSTECKER, Executive Director, Save the Whales, Venice