QuoteEarlier this month reports of mass strandings of pilot whales in the Everglades were particularly heartbreaking. Eleven whales died and dozens more were trapped in shallow waters. After days of trying to help the whales, rescue crews showed up one morning and couldn't find them, which suggests that they may have found a way to return to open waters (either that or they were beamed up by aliens). At least for me, there aren't many images as heartbreaking as ones of these majestic creatures flopping around in the shallows. These strandings are more common than they used to be, at least in part, scientists think, due to the military's use of sonar. Despite that, the U.S. Navy has announced plans to step up their sonar testing over the next five years.
http://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/sci/navy-plans-step-sonar-exercises-negative-effects-marine-life.html (http://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/sci/navy-plans-step-sonar-exercises-negative-effects-marine-life.html)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9gDk29Y_YY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9gDk29Y_YY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9gDk29Y_YY)
When I was in my 20's, that's several decades ago, I helped get the Whale Museum started in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Washington. At that time I "adopted" J Pod and have kept an eye on them from time to time over these many years.
To "hear" what is being done to our friendly sea mammals just CHAPS MY ASS ! !! When I sailed by boat out of the islands back in 1980 headed for the big city of seattle I had a wonderful experience with J Pod. They swam up to my boat as I was sailing along just out of Cattle Pass headed for Smith Island. They were so close I could reach out and touch a couple and did so. The small sail boat, 28 ft. , was low to the water. a couple hours later they came back by the boat again and were leaping high in the water and seemed to be bumping bellies. at times they were so close I was a bit nervous about them possibly landing on my boat. but only a few drops of water ever touched me or the boat, I am thankful to say. An experience I will NEVER forget.
Thanks for this post, may I recommend that it be moved to an appropriate area?
I heard on the radio this morning that the Navy wants to resume testing sonar off the coasts of Washington and Oregon again, , , , :P
Our systematic, relentless, and murderous persuit of the sea's is sickening.
Not only has it become our common place waste & dumping ground, but we have poisened it so much through plastic particulate and hazardous materials, repairing the damage is **inconcievable**
The ocean is full of beautitious wonders..
The most beautiful thing we reside by, it should have been protected.
Not to mention ELF & EHF torture...