The Navy versus the Whales (Again)

categories: Endangered Species, Marine Life, Politics and Law, Wildlife/FreeLiving Animals

Published August 03, 2009 @ 05:30PM PT

Today the Navy released its Record of Decision to begin construction of an undersea warfare training range right next to the only known calving grounds for the critically endangered right whale. Hunted nearly to extinction, North Atlantic right whales are one of the world's most endangered species, with only about 300 remaining. The North Atlantic right whale remains extremely vulnerable to the continuing threats posed by ship strikes, entanglement and ocean noise - a triple threat that will be exacerbated by the Navy's disastrous plan to build an undersea warfare training range adjacent to their last remaining calving grounds.

Once constructed, the proposed undersea warfare training range will be the site of intensive, year-round exercises employing the same kind of active sonar that has caused multiple marine mammal strandings leading to injury and death. It would effectively transform the waters off the Florida coast into an epicenter of sonar use.

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Once again I say: What's WRONG with these idoits???

Posted by Stephanie Vitt on 08/03/2009 @ 08:44PM PT
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What is especially disturbing is that this blatant disregard for nonhuman life, not to mention this disrespectful flouting of public sentiment, continues apace in the new Administration, which is supposedly more environmentally aware (though not animal savvy).

I think we were hopeful the madness (and badness and sadness) would stop when the previous executive left the White House -- and maybe even when the majority party in Congress changed hands. I wonder if the new Supreme Court Justice will side with the whales?

It will be interesting to see how the military is ultimately forced to stop misusing its power and do right by Earth and her inhabitants.

Posted by Olivia White on 08/05/2009 @ 01:11AM PT
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Author

Stephanie is an independent animal rights advocate, a vegan, a tree-hugging environmentalist, and a freelance editor and writer. She lives in St. Louis with an aging corgi-lab and an adolescent rescued pit bull.