The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed a lawsuit against the federal government because the allegedly granted permission to the U.S. Navy to harm marine mammals almost 10 million time over the next five years through sonar activity and explosives training.
"For whales and dolphins, the Navy's plan to ramp-up training off our coasts is simply not sustainable," said Michael Jasny, director of the NRDC's marine mammal protection project, said in a news release. "The science proving the link between sonar exposure and population decline is mounting. And so are the solutions that could prevent thousands of needless injuries and hundreds of deaths. There are more than 35 species of whales and dolphins that make Southern California and Hawaiian waters their home, including endangered blue whales, fin whales and hearing-sensitive beaked whales. All are at risk from this preventable harm."
A Navy review suggests they will harm marine mammals 9.6 million times over the next few years through "sonar training, underwater detonations, and gunnery exercises," an NRDC news release reported.
"Despite our best efforts to provide informed and thoughtful critiques on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the U.S. Navy's Southern California-Hawaii Testing and Training Range it seems that NMFS and NOAA have pretty much ignored our organization's concerns and handed the U.S. Navy a carte blanche to do whatever they please," Michael Stocker, director, Ocean Conservation Research, said in the news release.
Possible harm to beaked whales and endangered blue whales are of particular concern.
"These tests will not only kill hundreds of whales and dolphins, but will also harm animals nearly ten million times in the next five years. As Americans we are alarmed that this is even on the table," Stephen Wells, executive director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, said. "Yet again, animals are being cruelly betrayed by the very agency responsible for protecting them."
Military sonar has been linked to a number of mass strandings, it can also interfere with other marine mammals behavior such as feeding and conception.
"The sonar will also threaten the western gray whale, one of the most endangered whales in the world," Doug Norlen of Pacific Environment said. "With a population of only about 150 individuals, including 30 females of calving age, any injuries or deaths would be devastating. Surely the Navy can find a way to protect our seas without killing its wildlife."
The NRDC suggests the military avoid performing these activities in regions that contain endangered wildlife unless it is absolutely necessary.
"Cetacean Society International has been honored to follow NRDC's leadership since the battle over military sonar operations began in 1996," William Rossiter, Executive Director said in the news release. "The unnecessary destruction of marine life and habitats is scientifically proven, the Navy's mitigation efforts are a disgrace, NMFS' rubber stamp permits are irresponsible, many in the Navy know solutions are possible, and CSI knows the Navy can meet its national security obligations without harming everything that gets in their way."
