Apr 19 2008
Marine mammals will not be affected: Royal Navy
Scotland, Apr 19: On the backdrop of the commencement of major military exercise the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) has raised its concern over the adverse effect of sonar noise from the warships in whales. The society members suggest that the sound will make the whales to strand themselves on beaches; they also pointed out that at least 43 marine mammals died since February.
About 36 warships and 70 aircrafts representing the UK and 16 Nato countries will take part in the joint military exercise named Joint Warrior that will be staged off the west coast of Scotland. Live firing at ranges simulated bombing are among the activities.
While commenting on this the Sarah Marines of WDCS said: “Until now we haven’t received any satisfactory response from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) that indicates that sonar related whale deaths were not taken seriously.”
Earlier in February WDCS and the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust submitted a Freedom of Information request to the MoD to find out the link between the stranding of Cuvier’s off the islands of Tiree, Islay and Harris and the use of military sonar.
Replying to that the spokesman of Royal Navy said there were no vessels in that area on the month of February. The lowest frequency of active sonar will not be used when the marine mammals were near by. The hydrophones used by the specialists on board can effectively detect whales and dolphins.
Conducted twice a year the joint exercise of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force will involve several countries including the US, Germany, France, Denmark, New Zealand, Netherlands, Canada, Poland, Latvia, Spain, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Turkey and Norway.
