NEW YORK TIMES - WASHINGTON — On the one hand, there is “the potential for harm to marine mammals,” Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said Wednesday at a Supreme Court argument over the Navy’s use of sonar in training exercises off the coast of Southern California.
On the other, the chief justice continued, there is “the potential that a North Korean diesel electric submarine will get within range of Pearl Harbor undetected” if Navy personnel are not properly trained in the use of sonar.
“Now, I think that’s a pretty clear balance,” Chief Justice Roberts said.
Other justices also indicated an inclination to overturn a decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in San Francisco, imposing limits on the exercises, saying either that national security concerns trumped environmental ones or that judges are not competent to weigh the competing interests.
“I don’t know anything about this,” Justice Stephen G. Breyer said. “I’m not a naval officer.” But he said he was inclined to believe, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, a sworn statement from an admiral saying the restrictions would harm military preparedness.
Richard B. Kendall, a lawyer for the Natural Resources Defense Council, which had sued the Navy over the exercises, insisted that courts have an important role to play in protecting whales and dolphins even when the executive branch asserts a national security interest.
“The Navy cannot be judge of its own cause,” Mr. Kendall said.
The two sides agreed that sonar can harm marine mammals, but they disagreed about how much. Mr. Kendall said sonar produces noise as loud as 2,000 jet engines and that some whales die or become stranded in their frantic efforts to avoid it.
Gregory G. Garre, the United States solicitor general, said the impact on the animals was minor and passing. “They hear the sound, and they go in the opposite direction,” Mr. Garre said. “It can also mean that they could have some temporary effect on their feeding or breeding patterns.”
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Beluga Whale Numbers Stressed
HOMER TRIBUNE- Although numbers are low, beluga whales are still sometimes photographed in Cook Inlet.
Beluga whales were once a frequent sight in Kachemak Bay and the Fox River Valley, but increasingly only one or two are spotted.
The beluga whale population in Cook Inlet remains troubled, with numbers hovering at about 375 members of a genetically distinct group that formerly numbered at about 1,300.
CookInlet Keeper Director Bob Shavelson said the survey numbers confirm what his organization has said for a while now.
In response, marine mammal experts and conservation groups have renewed their calls for the Bush Administration to immediately list the Cook Inlet beluga whale as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
"We're expecting a decision after Oct. 20," said John Schoen, senior scientist at Audubon-Alaska. "At that point, the National Marine Fisheries Service could rule whether the beluga in Cook Inlet should be listed as threatened or endangered."
Beluga whales were once a frequent sight in Kachemak Bay and the Fox River Valley, but increasingly only one or two are spotted.
The beluga whale population in Cook Inlet remains troubled, with numbers hovering at about 375 members of a genetically distinct group that formerly numbered at about 1,300.
CookInlet Keeper Director Bob Shavelson said the survey numbers confirm what his organization has said for a while now.
In response, marine mammal experts and conservation groups have renewed their calls for the Bush Administration to immediately list the Cook Inlet beluga whale as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
"We're expecting a decision after Oct. 20," said John Schoen, senior scientist at Audubon-Alaska. "At that point, the National Marine Fisheries Service could rule whether the beluga in Cook Inlet should be listed as threatened or endangered."
Links Between US Navy Sonar And Whale Strandings
For many years, George Mason University professor Chris Parsons has been tracking the patterns of mass whale strandings around the world. In his most recent paper, "Navy Sonar and Cetaceans: Just how much does the gun need to smoke before we act?" Parsons and his co-authors bring together all of the major whale and dolphin strandings in the past eight years and discuss the different kinds of species that have been affected worldwide. They also strongly argue for stricter environmental policies related to this issue.
"Generally, if there is a large whale stranding, there is a military exercise in the area," says Parsons. "Sonar is killing more whales than we know about."
Parsons is a national delegate for the International Whaling Commission's scientific and conservation committees, and on the board of directors of the marine section of the Society for Conservation Biology. He has been involved in whale and dolphin research for more than a decade and has conducted projects in South Africa, India, China and the Caribbean as well as the United Kingdom.
Though Parsons believes that there is a good chance the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in favor of the Navy, he thinks there is a chance for a win-win situation on both sides.
"If the Navy uses proper mitigation efforts, it can still perform its exercises and affect less of the whale population," he says. However, he argues they need to avoid sensitive areas completely, and have trained, experienced whale experts as lookouts when performing these exercises - not just someone who has watched a 45-minute DVD, which is sadly the only training most naval lookouts get with respect to finding and detecting whales."
Even with all these efforts, however, Parsons worries that sonar is affecting many more whales than we even know about. "Eventually the Navy may have to reconsider the use of certain types of sonar all together. They could be wiping out entire populations of whales, and seriously depleting others."
"Generally, if there is a large whale stranding, there is a military exercise in the area," says Parsons. "Sonar is killing more whales than we know about."
Parsons is a national delegate for the International Whaling Commission's scientific and conservation committees, and on the board of directors of the marine section of the Society for Conservation Biology. He has been involved in whale and dolphin research for more than a decade and has conducted projects in South Africa, India, China and the Caribbean as well as the United Kingdom.
Though Parsons believes that there is a good chance the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in favor of the Navy, he thinks there is a chance for a win-win situation on both sides.
"If the Navy uses proper mitigation efforts, it can still perform its exercises and affect less of the whale population," he says. However, he argues they need to avoid sensitive areas completely, and have trained, experienced whale experts as lookouts when performing these exercises - not just someone who has watched a 45-minute DVD, which is sadly the only training most naval lookouts get with respect to finding and detecting whales."
Even with all these efforts, however, Parsons worries that sonar is affecting many more whales than we even know about. "Eventually the Navy may have to reconsider the use of certain types of sonar all together. They could be wiping out entire populations of whales, and seriously depleting others."
Monday, October 6, 2008
Rare Blue Whale Spotted Off Boston Coast
BOSTON -- A rare adult blue whale was spotted over the weekend 15 miles off Gloucester during a research cruise.
Researchers at the Whale Center of New England said that they were startled to find the whale on Sunday.
During the nearly 45 minutes that the whale was observed, its limited movement around the area suggested that the animal was feeding on a localized prey source. Despite their huge size, blue whales specialize in feeding on plankton, especially krill. The whale was seen in the same vicinity as approximately a dozen feeding humpback whales.
Whale Center staff took photos of both sides of the animal, where each individual whale has a distinctive pigment pattern used to identify individual whales. The photos will be contributed to an ocean-wide catalog of blue whales, coordinated by Canadian whale researchers, which contains more than 300 individual whales.
Blue whales are the largest mammals, and possibly the largest animals, ever to live. The largest blue whale ever accurately measured was 102 feet, although animals longer than 90 feet are rare in the North Atlantic
Researchers at the Whale Center of New England said that they were startled to find the whale on Sunday.
During the nearly 45 minutes that the whale was observed, its limited movement around the area suggested that the animal was feeding on a localized prey source. Despite their huge size, blue whales specialize in feeding on plankton, especially krill. The whale was seen in the same vicinity as approximately a dozen feeding humpback whales.
Whale Center staff took photos of both sides of the animal, where each individual whale has a distinctive pigment pattern used to identify individual whales. The photos will be contributed to an ocean-wide catalog of blue whales, coordinated by Canadian whale researchers, which contains more than 300 individual whales.
Blue whales are the largest mammals, and possibly the largest animals, ever to live. The largest blue whale ever accurately measured was 102 feet, although animals longer than 90 feet are rare in the North Atlantic
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Supreme Court to Hear Bush Exemption on Navy Sonar Testing
On Wednesday, the United States Supreme Court will hear from environmentalists who are challenging an exemption President George Bush granted the U.S. Navy from an environmental law protecting endangered whales.
Lower courts have ordered the Navy to stop using sonar off the southern California coast because it could harm the whales. But the Bush administration holds that judges cannot interfere with presidential authority in military matters.
Lower courts have ordered the Navy to stop using sonar off the southern California coast because it could harm the whales. But the Bush administration holds that judges cannot interfere with presidential authority in military matters.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Well Known Biologists Study Beached Whale
AVALON, NEW JERSEY--A rare wash up in Avalon is getting major attention as world renowned biologists head to the Jersey shore to examine the large sea creature. The find is so unique that even officials with the Smithsonian are excited.
It was a discovery that shocked beachgoers in Avalon yesterday, and now even a day later, the large whale is still getting a lot of attention, but this time in the borough's public works yard. "It's amazing," said Don Diehl, who works there, "we've seen dolphins wash up and turtles, big sea turtles, but this is definitely something different."
So different, it's gained the attention of a world renowned marine biologist with the Smithsonian Institution, Dr. James Mead, who traveled here today from Washington, D.C. to examine the 14-and-a-half foot whale. "Magnificent," said the doctor as he measured the creature.
Experts have determined by looking at the position of the animals teeth that it is not a True's beaked whale as initially thought, but actually an even rarer species. "It turns out to be a Gulf Stream beaked whale," said Mead, "it's very very rare."
While little is still known about what caused this deep sea creature to come ashore, biologists have been able to determine it's a nearly 3,000 pound male, and it could be close to 70 years old. "We very rarely get a cause of death in these stranded animals," said Mead. He says this type of whale is so rare, there have only been about 60 of the species that have been stranded in the U.S. in the last 150 years. "We have only one other adult male in the collection. This doubles our samples of adult males."
While experts continue to examine the creature, they admit they may never figure out a cause of death, but say there's a lot more to learn about something so unique.
The biologists will transport the whale's entire skeleton to the Smithsonian for further studies. They say they have so few records on the species, they can't wait to learn more about it.
It was a discovery that shocked beachgoers in Avalon yesterday, and now even a day later, the large whale is still getting a lot of attention, but this time in the borough's public works yard. "It's amazing," said Don Diehl, who works there, "we've seen dolphins wash up and turtles, big sea turtles, but this is definitely something different."
So different, it's gained the attention of a world renowned marine biologist with the Smithsonian Institution, Dr. James Mead, who traveled here today from Washington, D.C. to examine the 14-and-a-half foot whale. "Magnificent," said the doctor as he measured the creature.
Experts have determined by looking at the position of the animals teeth that it is not a True's beaked whale as initially thought, but actually an even rarer species. "It turns out to be a Gulf Stream beaked whale," said Mead, "it's very very rare."
While little is still known about what caused this deep sea creature to come ashore, biologists have been able to determine it's a nearly 3,000 pound male, and it could be close to 70 years old. "We very rarely get a cause of death in these stranded animals," said Mead. He says this type of whale is so rare, there have only been about 60 of the species that have been stranded in the U.S. in the last 150 years. "We have only one other adult male in the collection. This doubles our samples of adult males."
While experts continue to examine the creature, they admit they may never figure out a cause of death, but say there's a lot more to learn about something so unique.
The biologists will transport the whale's entire skeleton to the Smithsonian for further studies. They say they have so few records on the species, they can't wait to learn more about it.
Noisy Oceans Problem for Marine Mammals
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC - As the world's oceans become more acidic, the underwater sounds that whales and other marine mammals depend on for survival may turn into a confusing racket, a new study says.
That's because the ocean's ability to conduct sound is expected to increase dramatically due to global warming. The shift could make it easier for rare whales to find each other and reproduce, researchers say.
More likely, though, the effect would be comparable to a person in a crowded place straining to talk over all the chatter.
That's because the ocean's ability to conduct sound is expected to increase dramatically due to global warming. The shift could make it easier for rare whales to find each other and reproduce, researchers say.
More likely, though, the effect would be comparable to a person in a crowded place straining to talk over all the chatter.
California Wants Design For "Whale Tail" License Plate
The California Coastal Commission is inviting artists, designers, and photographers to enter a contest to design a new WHALE TAIL(SM) License Plate. This is an opportunity to get widespread exposure and visibility for your work and take an active part in preserving California's coast. The winning design will be seen by millions, and proceeds from the specialty plates will fund coastal restoration and education projects.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Major UK Military Exercise Staged Days Before 26 Dolphins Died
CORNISH, UK - The Government has confirmed that 20 ships were involved in an intense military exercise off the Cornish coast, just days before the mass stranding of dolphins this summer.
The death of 26 dolphins in the incident in June, most of them in the shallow waters of Porth Creek on the Roseland, was one of the UK's biggest wildlife tragedies in recent years.
Though up to 200 other dolphins were saved by the intervention of RNLI and wildlife volunteers, campaigners say that 80 more could have been traumatised by the incident.
The Royal Navy at first denied involvement in the disaster, but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) later confirmed it was carrying out exercises in Falmouth Bay just hours before the dolphins beached themselves.
The death of 26 dolphins in the incident in June, most of them in the shallow waters of Porth Creek on the Roseland, was one of the UK's biggest wildlife tragedies in recent years.
Though up to 200 other dolphins were saved by the intervention of RNLI and wildlife volunteers, campaigners say that 80 more could have been traumatised by the incident.
The Royal Navy at first denied involvement in the disaster, but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) later confirmed it was carrying out exercises in Falmouth Bay just hours before the dolphins beached themselves.
Rare Whale Washes Ashore
AVALON, NEW JERSEY--Beachgoers were given quite a shock today in Avalon after a rare off-shore whale beaches itself. Bystanders say they did all they could to try and save the large sea creature.
"It's absolutely unbelievable." Those were the only words stunned beachgoers had to describe the more than 14-foot whale that washed ashore this afternoon in Avalon. "It's just so sad and very exciting," said Ann Longaker.
"We just came down to see what was going on," said Jane Abbey, "but it was a little worse than we hoped."
Dozens watched from the shore as people jumped in the water in an attempt to try and help the rare True's Beaker Wale, weighing more than 3,000 pounds. It was something Stephen Salvensen knew he had to do. "We really wanted to do the right thing," he said, "we really felt this creature was trying to...he knew we were there."
After nearly two hours of trying to stabilize the creature, officials with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center arrived to help, although it was too late. "We did the right thing," said Salvensen, "you know...we did the best we could."
"That was what we believe to be a True's Beaked Whale," said Jay Pagel with the MMSC, "female, not sure of the age or anything, these are very rare."
At this point, officials have no idea what caused the whale to come this close to shore, especially because they're usually found more than 50 miles out at sea. Tests will be done to try and determine what went wrong. "We're gonna do our best to find out," said Pagel, "didn't see anything that was obvious, but again, we've only see a couple of these animals. They're so rare nobody seems to know much about them."
While experts don't know much about the whale just yet, those who tried to help save it say regardless of the details, it's an experience that will stick with them. "Quite an experience, no doubt about," said Salvensen, "it's one we'll definitely never forget."
Experts say it could be weeks before they learn anything about what caused the whale to was ashore. They say they've only seen a handful of the rare species in the last decade.
"It's absolutely unbelievable." Those were the only words stunned beachgoers had to describe the more than 14-foot whale that washed ashore this afternoon in Avalon. "It's just so sad and very exciting," said Ann Longaker.
"We just came down to see what was going on," said Jane Abbey, "but it was a little worse than we hoped."
Dozens watched from the shore as people jumped in the water in an attempt to try and help the rare True's Beaker Wale, weighing more than 3,000 pounds. It was something Stephen Salvensen knew he had to do. "We really wanted to do the right thing," he said, "we really felt this creature was trying to...he knew we were there."
After nearly two hours of trying to stabilize the creature, officials with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center arrived to help, although it was too late. "We did the right thing," said Salvensen, "you know...we did the best we could."
"That was what we believe to be a True's Beaked Whale," said Jay Pagel with the MMSC, "female, not sure of the age or anything, these are very rare."
At this point, officials have no idea what caused the whale to come this close to shore, especially because they're usually found more than 50 miles out at sea. Tests will be done to try and determine what went wrong. "We're gonna do our best to find out," said Pagel, "didn't see anything that was obvious, but again, we've only see a couple of these animals. They're so rare nobody seems to know much about them."
While experts don't know much about the whale just yet, those who tried to help save it say regardless of the details, it's an experience that will stick with them. "Quite an experience, no doubt about," said Salvensen, "it's one we'll definitely never forget."
Experts say it could be weeks before they learn anything about what caused the whale to was ashore. They say they've only seen a handful of the rare species in the last decade.
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