Navy sonar killing whales: lawsuit
October 21, 2005
LOS ANGELES: Environmental groups are suing the US Navy over its use of sonar systems they say cause internal bleeding and death in whales and dolphins.
The groups claim the navy is breaking US law by using "active sonar" to detect submarines and other underwater objects in areas inhabited by protected marine creatures.
The sonar works by flooding large areas of ocean with loud bursts of sound, which researchers say causes hearing loss and organ damage in whales and can harm all marine mammals.
"There is no serious scientific dispute that the mid-frequency active sonar systems used by the navy can kill, injure and disturb marine mammals," the suit states. "The scientific data also strongly suggests a longstanding correlation between naval exercises and the mass stranding of beaked whales, going back decades."
The plaintiffs, including the US Natural Resources Defence Council and French oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau, are challenging the use of active sonar.
They accuse the navy of violating the US National Environmental Policy Act, which requires the preparation of an environmental assessment for government actions that have an impact on the environment.
The groups say the navy is also flouting the Endangered Species Act, under which the Government must ensure its actions do not jeopardise any endangered species, as well as the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which makes it a crime to disturb marine mammals.
A navy representative could not be reached to comment on the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles.
In addition to seeking environmental analysis of the sonar's use, the plaintiffs aim to force the navy to take precautions, such as avoiding important whale habitats, when testing or training with the sonar.
"This is not a question of environment versus national security," said Joel Reynolds, a lawyer for the group. "We can and we must have both, because that's what the law requires."
The lawsuit follows a similar action over the use of lower-frequency sonar that was settled two years ago.
The environmentalists say not much is publicly known about the high-intensity sonar systems, but they claim in their suit that the sonar is capable of generating sound up to 215 decibels.
In 2000, seven whales were found dead on a beach and others were stranded in the Bahamas after the US Navy used sonar reported to have exceeded 235 decibels, the groups say.
AFP
Link Here
LOS ANGELES: Environmental groups are suing the US Navy over its use of sonar systems they say cause internal bleeding and death in whales and dolphins.
The groups claim the navy is breaking US law by using "active sonar" to detect submarines and other underwater objects in areas inhabited by protected marine creatures.
The sonar works by flooding large areas of ocean with loud bursts of sound, which researchers say causes hearing loss and organ damage in whales and can harm all marine mammals.
"There is no serious scientific dispute that the mid-frequency active sonar systems used by the navy can kill, injure and disturb marine mammals," the suit states. "The scientific data also strongly suggests a longstanding correlation between naval exercises and the mass stranding of beaked whales, going back decades."
The plaintiffs, including the US Natural Resources Defence Council and French oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau, are challenging the use of active sonar.
They accuse the navy of violating the US National Environmental Policy Act, which requires the preparation of an environmental assessment for government actions that have an impact on the environment.
The groups say the navy is also flouting the Endangered Species Act, under which the Government must ensure its actions do not jeopardise any endangered species, as well as the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which makes it a crime to disturb marine mammals.
A navy representative could not be reached to comment on the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles.
In addition to seeking environmental analysis of the sonar's use, the plaintiffs aim to force the navy to take precautions, such as avoiding important whale habitats, when testing or training with the sonar.
"This is not a question of environment versus national security," said Joel Reynolds, a lawyer for the group. "We can and we must have both, because that's what the law requires."
The lawsuit follows a similar action over the use of lower-frequency sonar that was settled two years ago.
The environmentalists say not much is publicly known about the high-intensity sonar systems, but they claim in their suit that the sonar is capable of generating sound up to 215 decibels.
In 2000, seven whales were found dead on a beach and others were stranded in the Bahamas after the US Navy used sonar reported to have exceeded 235 decibels, the groups say.
AFP
Link Here
posted by Kangaroo Brisbane Australia at 4:29 PM
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