Orcas in their home environment. Photo by Elaine Thompson
The U.S. Navy is seeking permits to expand sonar and other training exercises off the Pacific Coast, a proposal raising concerns from animal advocates who say that more sonar-emitting buoys would harm whales and other creatures that live in the water.
The Navy wants to deploy up to 720 sonobuoys at least 12 nautical miles off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and Northern California. The devices, about 3 feet long and 6 inches in diameter, send out sonar signals underwater so air crews can train to detect submarines.
“It sounds drastic in numbers, but it’s really not drastic in its impact,” said John Mosher, Northwest environmental manager for the U.S. Pacific Fleet. “Anti-submarine warfare is a critical mission for the U.S. Navy.”
The Navy’s training range is home to endangered whales such as orcas, humpback and blue, as well as seals, sea lions and dolphins. Critics say the noise from sonar can harass and kill whales and other marine life. They worry the Navy is expanding training exercises without also increasing efforts to reduce the impacts.
How many times must we and the natural environnment that surrounds and sustains us be forced by military arrogance to reanswer this threat? No no no no no more. Stop the agressive and pointless polution of any aspect of our surrounding environment. Please citizens wake up and say NO MORE! ENOUGH already. Way past enough!
We agree: ENOUGH ALREADY!! 720 sonobuoys ” . . .sounds drastic in its numbers, but it’s really not drastic in its impact.” WHAT???!!! ENOUGH ALREADY!! NO NO NO NO NO!!!
“No,no,no” said those with no knowledge or facts to back their position. Up to 720 sonobuoys over how large an area, the entire Pacific coast of the USA? Sonar at what frequencies and at what power? Not a single “fact” from the “critics”.