PROCLAMATION

•	The City of Ashland values its relationship with the nearby Pacific Ocean and all the oceans' resources.
•	The City of Ashland acknowledges the growing threats to whale populations due to toxic pollution, climate change, over-fishing of prey species, fishing gear entanglements, ship strikes, and anthropogenic noise.
•	The City of Ashland acknowledges that whale populations have not recovered from centuries of over-exploitation by the commercial whaling industry.
•	Whale populations cannot be protected unless the moratorium on commercial whaling is enforced and maintained.
•	It is acknowledged that whale watching is a vital part of Oregon's tourism industry.
•	The United States Federal Government is currently negotiating the Revised Management Scheme which is the rule for the resumption of commercial whaling which will lead to lifting of the moratorium on commercial whaling.
•	The City of Ashland recognizes that a return to commercial whaling will have a negative impact on the whale population, whale watching and tourism industries along the west coast of the United States and other parts of the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Morrison, Mayor of Ashland, hereby proclaim that the U.S. Federal Government should consider these issues and concerns and encourage the protection and preservation of the whale population by enforcing and maintaining the moratorium on commercial whaling, and oppose the completion and adoption of any Revised Management Scheme.

Dated this 19th day of April, 2005.

Barbara Christensen, City Recorder
John W. Morrison, Mayor

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