Dear MARMAM list, I want to bring to your attention a US Federal Register notice for an application to expose several deep diving odontocetes to a variety of sound sources on the AUTEC naval training range in the Tongue of the Ocean, in the Bahamas. The species to be exposed include Cuvier's and Blainville's beaked whales, Risso's dolphins, pilot, melon-headed and sperm whales. Exposure will include mid frequency sonar, and other sources, to a maximum received level of 170dB. For more details, visit the website of the permit application: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/1121-1900_application.pdf <http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/1121-1900_application.pdf> and draft Environmental Assessment: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/1121-1900_ea_draft.pdf <http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/1121-1900_ea_draft.pdf> Whilst we need to improve our understanding of deep diving species in order to better protect individuals and populations from intense noise pollution, WDCS is very concerned generally about experiments that expose whales to powerful noise sources and in the case of this study we also note the following: 1. the lack of baseline data of any species in the vicinity of the AUTEC range in the Tongue of the Ocean; 2. the unknown history of exposure of animals in an area where active sonar is regularly used; and, 3. the level of accuracy with which the exposed individuals can be monitored in real time. Any comments on the proposed scientific research application and draft Environmental Assessment (EA) should be submitted to NMFS, as stated in the federal register notice, and are due on or before 17th May 2007. Sarah Dolman Sarah.dolman@wdcs.org Pro-whaling countries are mounting their biggest attack for decades on the bans on commercial whaling and international trade in whale products. Whaling is cruel, unnecessary and unsustainable. Help WDCS in our campaign to stop bloody whaling for good - it's time to act. http://www.stopbloodywhaling.org <http://www.stopbloodywhaling.org> Sarah Dolman International Science Team WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society 44 Lord Hays Grove Aberdeen AB24 1WS M: +44 (0) 78 3449 8275 http://www.wdcs.org/ WDCS is the global voice for the protection of whales, dolphins and their environment. This e-mail's contents are confidential to the intended recipient(s) at the e-mail address to which it has been sent. It may not be disclosed, copied to, circulated or used by anyone other than the intended addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient or have received this transmission in error please telephone the originator immediately or ring +44 (0)1249 449500. Any opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WDCS.