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Marine Impacts News Archive 2007
Whale injuries spark alerts
(Added: 17 December 2007)
Boat owners around Tasmania's East Coast have been urged to take care after humpbacks whales were spotted with extreme propeller injuries. The animals are still migrating south but one animal in particular was seen with massive scarring after a propeller hit the length of its body and shredded its tail. Fortunately it has healed but the scarring indicates it had been a very severe injury.
Man fined for harassing dolphins
(Added: 29 November 2007)
A man convicted of recklessly harassing a school of dolphins while on a jet ski has been fined £500. Nicol Wood, 22, had earlier gone on trial over an incident with a school of bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth.
Click here for further information
Behavioral Response Study off Bahamas
(Added: 29 November 2007)
A series of experiments to study deep-diving cetaceans was conducted off Andros Island in the Bahamas recently - the BRS scientific team has prepared a short cruise report summary which can be found here.
Black Sea oil spill
(Added: 16 November 2007)
An oil spill from a Russian tanker into the Black Sea has caused the deaths of many dolphins in the area and the nearby Sea of Azov may suffer heavy pollution if urgent measures are not taken. The oil has polluted over a 30 mile long stretch of coastline and rescue workers are having to remove 10,000 tonnes of oily sludge from the shore. 1,500 tonnes of fuel oil is still afloat in the water, killing thousands of birds and fish.
Whale sanctuary threatened by terminal plan
(Added: 30 October 2007)
The Italian government has given approval for a liquefied natural gas terminal to be installed on a huge ship anchored 12 miles off the coast of Livorno, in Tuscany, in the middle of a whale and dolphin sanctuary.
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Whales to have better protection
(Added: 12 October 2007)
North Atlantic right whales can now feed and socialise without fear of colliding with large ships. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has designated the Roseway Basin, some 20 nautical miles south of Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia, as an "Area to be Avoided" (ATBA) by commercial shipping, on a seasonal basis.
Click here for further information
Drilling threatens marine life
(Added: 12 October 2007)
The Japan Petroleum Exploration Company (JAPEX) has been granted an environmental compliance certificate and conditional support from the local government to carry out drilling activities off the Negros and Cebu islands from mid-November through to 2008. This activity which involves drilling an exploration well in up to 200 metres of water off the islands coincides with the mating season in Tanon Strait, home to 11 of the 24 marine mammals found in Philippine waters, including dolphins and whales.
Update on whale strike
(Added: 27 September 2007)
A boat operator that hit a whale in July of this year (see report 19 July below) is now facing charges and if found guilty will be fined up to £5,000. He has 30 days to appeal.
Naval exercises off South Africa
(Added: 31 August 2007)
The Marine Connection is concerned with regards to some NATO naval exercises taking place shortly off the Cape Peninsula, South Africa as they will coincide with the height of the whale season. Hundreds of southern right whales have already arrived for their annual visit to the Cape waters, many of them giving birth or mating. There are humpback whales and Bryde's whales in the area too, therefore with so many whales inshore and off-shore, the chances of vessel strikes are also of major concern.
Oil spill off Vancouver Island
(Added: 21 August 2007)
Scientists and environment officials are keeping a close watch on some killer whales following an oil spill which has occurred about 800 metres from the ecological reserve at Robson Bight, Vancouver Island. The sheltered waters along Vancouver Island's northeast coast are amongst the best places in the world to view orcas in their natural surroundings.
Click here for further information
New Tests of Naval Sonar
(Added: 28 July 2007)
A long-running fight over whether a new US Naval sonar hurts whales has flared up again as US regulators near a decision on whether to allow the Navy to test its sonar in most of the world's oceans. Government biologists say the sonar poses little threat to whales but there is clear evidence that military sonar can harm or kill marine mammals.
Click here for further information
Fin whale struck by boat off New Hampshire
(Added: 19 July 2007)
Whale watchers were horrified to watch another boat hit a fin whale they had just been watching on July 14 off the coast of New Hampshire, USA. The whale was swimming around Jeffrey’s Ledge when it was hit by a speed boat which sped over the area where the whale was surfacing.
Click here for further information
US oil & gas lease sales pose threats to marine mammals
(Added: 03 July 2007)
The Marine Connection is concerned about reports that the Bush administration in the U.S has approved a nationwide plan governing the sale of all offshore oil and gas leases in federal waters over the next five years.
Click here for further information
Military games off Great Barrier Reef
(Added: 29 May 2007)
In mid June 2007, Australia will host the largest military exercises ever undertaken in peacetime - Talisman Saber 2007 involving 12,400 Australian and 13,700 US troops converging on various locations for their biennial “war games”.
Click here for further information
Whale sanctuary protection - another hearing this week
(Added: 15 April 2007)
On Tuesday 17 April 2007 there will be a further hearing asking the federal government to pass resolution HCR58 HD1 to stop the dumping of waste in the whale sanctuary.
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Protection from dumping a step closer for whale sanctuary
(Added: 10 April 2007)
The Marine Connection has received an email of sincere thanks from our colleagues in Maui following our continued effort in supporting the campaign to stop dumping of sewage into the waters of the Humpback Whale Sanctuary off Maui and for helping to persuade the authorities to bring into force legislation to make this practice illegal. Having submitted testimony to the legislature for HCR 58 and HR 39 (see news item 13 March 2007 below), we are delighted to advise these have now both been passed, and there is even more good news.
Click here for further information
Was ship strike responsible for another whale death?
(Added: 27 March 2007)
A female fin whale was found dead in a busy shipping channel near Lambert Point, Portsmouth, VA - however rescuers are unclear as to whether this caused the animals' death, or whether the whale was struck after it had died.
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Impacts of seismic surveys on cetaceans
(Added: 22 March 2007)
New information about the effects of seismic surveys on cetaceans has been published. The effects described include behavioral responses and changes in vocalisation patterns, diversion of migratory routes, damage to the auditory system, and an increase in strandings.
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Navy refuses to disclose sonar data
(Added: 20 March 2007)
The US Navy is refusing to detail its sonar use for a US court in a case involving potential harm to whales, saying the information could jeopardise national security.
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Marking the anniversary of Bahamas strandings
(Added: 15 March 2007)
Rallies are being held in the Hawaiian Islands on March 16 to raise awareness of the Navy’s two-year exemption to the Marine Mammal Protection Act and mark the anniversary of a whale and dolphin stranding that occurred in the Bahamas seven years ago.
Click here for more information
More good news for Maui Humpback Sanctuary
(Added: 13 March 2007)
The Marine Connection continue to support efforts to stop the dumping of sewage in the Humpback Sanctuary. We are delighted to report that this is now being addressed by the State of Hawaii who are at last considering a bill against the dumping of sewage in this important area.
Click here for further information
Polythene materials cause of porpoise death
(Added: 13 March 2007)
A black finless porpoise, found on the Orissa coast in the Bay of Bengal, died due to intake of polythene materials. Polythene packaging materials includes carrier bags, refuse sacks, jiffy bags and bubble wrap. Dolphin researchers from the Chilika Development Authority who examined the carcass ascertained the cause of death was due to intake of polythene materials that blocked the animal’s gullet to its stomach. The Black finless porpoise is similar to the Irrawaddy dolphin but does not have a dorsal fin and is half the size. It feed on squids, shrimps and small fishes and inhabit inshore coastal water estuaries in India.
Victory for cetaceans in British Columbia
(Added: 09 March 2007)
Last autumn colleagues in Canada contacted the Marine Connection regarding a new project in British Columbia (BC) that could have had a huge effect on the dolphins and whales in the area.
Click to read full report
Dolphin harrassment case scheduled for court
(Added: 06 March 2007)
A 21 year old man from Banff in Scotland has denied recklessly harassing dolphins by driving a jet ski at high speed and in an erratic manner at and around a school of bottlenose dolphins in Moray waters. The offence was said to have happened in coastal waters about half a mile offshore at Faw Bay, Macduff last June. It is thought to be the first case of its kind in Scotland and a trial is scheduled within a few months.
Humpback sanctuary - dumping on the decline
(Added: 28 February 2007)
Our colleagues at Pump Don't Dump (PDD) in Maui advise us that things are looking up for the future of the whales and their habitat.
Click here for full report
Conference on Noise Pollution
(Added: 22 February 2007)
An International Conference will be held in Nyborg, Denmark, from August 13 - 17 2007. The primary goal of the conference is to improve the understanding of the effects of noise on aquatic organisms - marine mammals to invertebrates.
Click here for further information (when booking please mention the Marine Connection)
Seismic activity affects whales
(Added: 2 February 2007)
The Marine Connection has concerns with regards to ongoing seismic activities, taking place off the Canary Islands. The activity has apparently terrified the whales and dolphins that live in the waters off south Tenerife, with observers reporting the animals have abandoned their normal habitat.
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Cruise line fined for killing whale
(Added: 24 January 2007)
Princess Cruise Lines has agreed to pay a large fine after one of its ships was accused of striking and killing a humpback whale near Glacier Bay in southeast Alaska over five years ago.
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Navy continues sonar exercises
(Added: 24 January 2007)
The Pentagon has exempted the US Navy for two years from the Marine Mammal Protection Act - a law that is meant to protect marine mammals. Instead the Navy will be allowed to continue using military sonar while working on a long-term plan to comply with environmental regulations. Sonar used in routine training and testing injures or kills whales and dolphins. The exemption allows the Navy to conduct more than 40 exercises over the next two years without seeking permission for each under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Votes for sonar restrictions
(Added: 24 January 2007)
The California Coastal Commission voted 8-1 recently to place restrictions on the U.S. Navy's use of sonar, which it says is harmful to marine mammals off the state's coast. The Navy does not necessarily have to accept the vote but may accept some of the recommendations, including lowering the volume of the sonar and to watch for marine mammals. However if they don't accept all the recommendations, the commission could take the Navy to court to try to get its restrictions enforced.
Navy can't agree on whale protection
(Added: 15 January 2007)
The California Coastal Commission and US Navy have failed to
agree on how to protect marine mammals from potentially deadly
sonar transmissions during 14 training exercises scheduled
for the next two years off San Diego. The CCC and the Navy
must now negotiate further and if they still can't agree, both
parties can ask the U.S. secretary of commerce to oversee nonbinding
mediation talks. Failing that, the Navy could ask President
Bush to override the commission's ruling or any decision by
a US judge. The exercises will coincide with the thousands
of Pacific gray whales who will be heading north toward the
Gulf of Alaska.
Recommended routes to protect right whales
(Added: 24 November 2006)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has urged ship captains to use new recommended routes when entering or leaving the Florida ports of Jacksonville and Fernandina, and Brunswick as well as in Cape Cod Bay off Massachusetts. These new routes are expected to reduce the chances of ship strikes with endangered right whales.
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River dolphins in trouble
(Added: 21 November 2006)
The future for the Ganges river dolphins looks grim unless steps are taken to stop toxic effluents from industries being released into the Ganga. Over a 100 factories in this UP belt empty effluents into the Ganga. Over 50 dams and barrages have been built all along the Ganga with the water being diverted for agriculture. These dams create physical barriers that prevent the dolphins from being able to move freely which can also lead to inbreeding. The river is only three feet deep in that region, making the dolphins isolated in shallow pools. If the dolphin is to be saved then it's the river Ganga which must also be protected.
Click here to watch footage of the dolphins and the problem.
Whale deaths could be linked to dredging
(Added: 14 November 2006)
After 15 months of dredging near the Gulf of Mannar, India for the Sethusamudram canal, a new wave of environmental concerns is rising after a reportedly unprecedented spate of whale deaths.
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