News from 2007 2008|2007|2006|2005|2004|2003   AWI Condemns Illegal Whale Hunt By Makah Tribal Members September 10, 2007:   Five members of the Makah Tribe harpooned and shot a harmless, sentient and intelligent gray whale in violation of Federal and State laws.  AWI calls on the Federal Government to fully prosecute the culprits and to terminate efforts to facilitate future whaling by Makah.   Consumers Can Help Stop Shark Finning August 28, 2007:   AWI has sent letters of warning to restaurants in major cities that offer shark fin soup on their menus and is working to expand its campaign from Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago, Boston and San Francisco to the entire nation.    Groups Stage Street Theater Enactment of Navy Authorization to Flood World's Oceans with LFA Sonar August 14, 2007:  AWI and Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats (COAST) stage a colorful enactment to mark NMFS' issuance of a rulemaking and Letter of Authorization allowing the Navy to use Low Frequency Active (LFA) sonar in over 70 percent of the world's oceans for the next five years.   AWI Congratulates Obi Sushi for Ceasing their Sale of Shark Fin Soup August 3, 2007:  After receiving a letter from AWI, Obi Sushi restaurant, located in Northern Virginia’s Reston Town Center, has retracted their decision to sell shark fin soup and other shark dishes.   SAPL Action eAlert (May 24, 2007): Tell Congress Declining Salmon Populations Deserve Real Solutions   AWI Join Lawsuit Filed to Protect Endangered Whales from Navy: Sonar Undersea warfare exercises planned within National Marine Sanctuary in Hawai'i May 16, 2007:  Honolulu, HI -- Conservation and animal welfare organizations have filed a legal challenge to the U.S. Navy's plan to use high-intensity, mid-frequency active sonar in antisubmarine exercises in Hawai'i's waters. The planned sonar would emit blasts far louder than levels associated with mass whale strandings and fatalities.   Whales Need US Coalition                                                                           April 17, 2007: The 20 member coalition, which includes AWI, urges the Bush Administration to show leadership and take action to protect whales.  Recent poll results show that a majority of Americans are concerned with the condition of the worlds' whales.   Group Unveils Restaurants Selling Controversial Shark-Fin Soup March 27, 2007: The Animal Welfare Institute is leading an effort with support from fellow animal protection and conservation organizations to contact restaurants in the Washington Metropolitan Area that currently serve the highly controversial shark-fin soup, asking that they consider the precarious status of many of the targeted species and stop selling the dish immediately.