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
For more details, visit the website of the permit
application:
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
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
Sarah Dolman
International Science Team
WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
44 Lord Hays Grove
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.
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