US/NATO navy exercises... and more dead whales

[Scubaroo]

Speaks for itself.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/07/26/whales.sonar.reut/index.html

 

[Rick Murchison]

No it doesn't speak at all. This is complete junk science at its purest.
Whales die every day. If there's a military exercise within a month or a thousand miles, some "environmental expert" will be there to claim there is a "strong suspicion" that there is some cause and effect relationship between the two.
Occasionally there is; usually it's pure bunk.

Rick

 

[Scubaroo]

Here's me thinking that ear candles were junk science.

This thread is as good as any spot to hear why the two are not related - I've been lead to believe (rightly or wrongly) that there was a correllation between naval exercises and whale mortality. I agree it's a perfect scenario for animal activists to latch onto - nasty military versus the cute environment - but I would like to see unbiased research disprove a link.

 

[drbill]

I didn't read the article but if it is in regards to their LFA sonar system, it is my understanding that even the Navy's own tests indicated damage to marine mammals (and divers). I haven't read up on this in some time, but I thought it interesting that the current administration pushed through legislation which exempted the military from certain aspects of our marine mammal protection laws following these tests. Sounds pretty convincing to me.

I am not anti-military, but feel they often ignore the environmental impacts of their activities. However, there are also some very positive programs including those at neighboring San Clemente Island that are operated by the Navy.

Doc

 

[RBachman]

...............................

I am not anti-military, but feel they often ignore the environmental impacts of their activities. However, there are also some very positive programs including those at neighboring San Clemente Island that are operated by the Navy.

Doc

As a prior military officer I can assure you that our men and women in uniform go to far greater extremes than you can imagine to protect the environment in which they operate......often to the increased risk and detriment to their mission and personnel.

 

[wedivebc]

The news article seems to suggest that the whales were bent????
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Scientists suspect sonar signals disorientate the mammals, forcing them to come up to the surface too quickly, which could cause the formation of damaging nitrogen bubbles in their tissue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

c'mon that's not even junk science

 

[Rick Murchison]

if it is in regards to their LFA sonar system

It doesn't.
LFA isn't in the mix.
But your post is perfect, because LFA gets blamed for every grounding and marine mammal fatality in the world, whether it's been used within a year of the incident or not.
The article's BS
Rick

 

[The Kraken]

As ex-military, this says a great deal to me . . .

Quote the article:
"NATO officials had no comment."

 

[DORSETBOY]

Correct me if Im wrong but don't modern navies tend to use passive sonar? Doesn't active sonar give away the postion of the boat using the sonar?

 

[Rick Murchison]

Correct me if Im wrong but don't modern navies tend to use passive sonar? Doesn't active sonar give away the postion of the boat using the sonar?

That is correct. But it doesn't stop the "experts" declaring that the "military exercise" is worthy of "strong suspicion."
Pure junk.
Rick