[CPEO-MEF] Pacific training sonar compromise

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Limited use of sonar irksome to orcas OK'd


By ROBERT MCCLURE
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
July 8, 2006

A loud, screechy Navy sonar that disturbed orcas and panicked other 
marine mammals near the San Juan Islands can be used -- with limits -- 
in a naval war exercise near Hawaii this month, under terms of a lawsuit 
settlement approved Friday.

The midfrequency active sonar can't be deployed within 25 miles of a 
newly proposed marine sanctuary. In addition, two sailors will be 
assigned to watch for marine mammals on vessels using the sonar in deep 
underwater canyons such as Haro Strait, near the San Juans, where the 
sounds appear to bounce around and harm killer whales and other creatures.

All other ships involved in the war games will post a special lookout to 
watch for marine mammals. Navy pilots also will be required to keep 
their eyes peeled and report any sightings.

...

For the entire article, see
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/276873_sonar08.html

--


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org


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