[CPEO-MEF] Researchers Probe Whether Sonar Caused Deaths of Whales

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September 26, 2002
THE NATION
Researchers Probe Whether Sonar Caused Deaths of Whales
By KENNETH R. WEISS, TIMES STAFF WRITER

At least a dozen beaked whales--including eight that died--beached
themselves in the Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa on Tuesday
following a NATO exercise that involved a cluster of warships and
submarines.

Authorities are investigating whether powerful sonar caused the deaths,
and the government of the islands, a part of Spain, has asked NATO to
suspend all military maneuvers in the area, including those by warships.

Earlier this year, an extensive study by the U.S. National Marine
Fisheries Service determined that sonar was to blame for the mass
stranding of whales during U.S. Navy exercises off the Bahamas in 2000.
The study indicated that the Navy's mid-frequency sonar system caused
inner-ear bleeding, disorientation and other injuries that drove the
whales to beach themselves.

NATO officials could not be reached for comment Wednesday. At the
Pentagon, a spokeswoman for the Navy said officials could not
immediately determine if U.S. warships were part of the multinational
NATO exercise.

This article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-whales26sep26.story

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