US Submarine sonars kill whales

http://www.nrdc.org/wildlife/marine/sonar.asp Scientists have proven that military sonar can injure and even kill whales. To protect marine life from the lethal effects of sonar, NRDC is working nationally and internationally to establish strict regulations on sonar use so that whales and other marine mammals don't have to die for practice. So far, NRDC has been successful in pushing for stricter control of two major types of military sonar, the widely used mid-frequency sonar and long-range low-frequency sonar -- despite strong Bush administration resistance. In early 2008, a federal court prohibited the Navy from conducting major mid-frequency sonar exercises in California without safety measures in place and rejected a White House bid to excuse the Navy from following the law. The Navy appealed this decision, and the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case during fall 2008. Also in early 2008, federal courts limited the regions where low-frequency sonar may be used and deemed certain species-rich areas, such as the Galapagos Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, off-limits. Our advocacy has pressured the Navy into preparing impact reviews and seeking environmental permits for sonar training on all of its U.S. ranges. NRDC's goal is to encourage the military to use sonar responsibly, not to stop its use altogether. Necessary safety measures include putting rich marine mammal habitat off-limits; avoiding migration routes and feeding or breeding areas when marine mammals are present; and turning off active sonar when marine mammals and endangered species are spotted near by.

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YouTube | November 27, 2008

Tags:. .stricter. .longrange. .sonars. .altogether. .mammals