Why has the rate of atypical mass strandings increased over the last decades? – Pollution? – Parasites?
Marine biologist Antonella Servidio sets out to collect so far hidden evidences, never displayed in public before. Travelling across half the globe, visiting leading colleagues – is there connection between military sonar and atypical mass strandings?
The extremely sound-sensitive whalebrain
By comparing human and dolphin brains, the American researcher Lori Marino confirms how extremely sensitive and reactive whales are to noise. This is common knowledge in Japan, she says, where the cruel technique of creating “noise-nets” for hunting whales and dolphins has been used for centuries. If their banging on metal poles distresses the animals enough to lead them into slaughter, what happens to the whales when they are struck by the military sonar sounds, as loud as jet engines?
Gas Bubbles
Many believe that the whales, who dive up to 1000m deep, are frightened by the loud noise of the military sonar. Their panicked ascent to the surface causes an extreme form of diving sickness. Gas bubbles are found in the necropsies, indicators of diving sickness – and gas bubbles in the blood are deadly. And so the quest for more evidence continues …
Fat Embolism
Microscopic fat particles clog the blood-flow, which in the fine blood vessels of the brain causes a stroke and is instantly fatal. Hemorrhaging in the eyes and brain causes suspicion, but the Navy remains innocent until concrete evidence can be found. Will Antonella be successful in her quest?
The need for more sonar
The armament orders of warships, and of their sonar systems, are made public on a weekly basis. Though the public databanks in which the details are listed are little known, one can easily sign up for an online newsletter and have updates sent to you on a weekly basis, free of charge. There are actually currently less than 400 submarines in existence outside of NATO. On account of these few boats, a billion-dollar defense industry is created to deploy the most powerful technologies and to detect the threat over long distances.
The Oceans – lawless?
In 2003 the San Francisco-based judge Laporte ordered that the consequences of military active sonar use be further studied. The Navy is advised only by its own experts, and Laporte stated self-control mechanisms to be insufficient. But the Bush administration quickly objected to the request. The sonar sound-waves continue to crisscross through the seas, without limitations or restrictions. Actually only a fraction of the killed whales are found; we can only count the few of them who were near enough to wash to shore.The NRDC represents the rights of whales on many levels, including in the United Nations. They believe that the involvement of everyone is highly important.
Personal letters to the ministries of defense help!
Please write and ask whether the active sonar frequencies are deadly for whales. And please let us know what they say.
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