New Whaling Captain Selected

Fri., Dec. 11, 1998

From Staff

The Makah Whaling Commission on Thursday chose a new captain to oversee its first gray-whale hunt in more than 70 years.

Commission president Denise Dailey and other officials disclosed Wayne Johnson’s selection during a break in the commission meeting at tribal headquarters southwest of town. They declined additional comment.

Johnson, 45, has been involved in the whaling crew’s training effort from the outset, helping coordinate practices and line up equipment.

He was obviously pleased, but grinned and shook his head when asked about his new duties.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” he said, referring to the morning news conference that has become routine for the tribe.

The first captain of the eight-man whaling crew, Eric Johnson, resigned from the unpaid post after less than three months due to concerns about its toll on his family.

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