Marine Impacts News

Beaked whales and the bends
(Added: 11 June 2009)
A new study recently published in the journal Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology offers evidence to support the theory that beaked whales get the bends when they surface rapidly, possibly after being startled by naval sonar.
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Humpback whale strike
(Added: 04 June 2009)
Wildlife officials say an oil tanker struck an endangered humpback whale and carried its carcass on its bow into Alaska's Port Valdez. The whale was lodged on the bulbous protrusion of the ship's bow. It's not known if the whale was alive when it was struck by the vessel. The carcass was towed to sea and sunk.

Robson Bight salvage a success
(Added: 21 May 2009)
Our colleagues from Orcalab are happy to report that the Robson Bight salvage operation has been a success!
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Robson Bight salvage set to begin
(Added: 14 May 2009)
The Marine Connection were delighted to learn from our colleagues Paul and Helena Spong who conduct research on the orcas frequenting the area around Vancouver Island, that at last the Robson Bight clean up has commenced.
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Seismic testing suspended
(Added: 29 April 2009)
An oil and gas consortium has agreed to suspend this summer's planned seismic testing off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, the only feeding area for the critically endangered Western gray whale.
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Research boat hits whale
(Added: 23 April 2009)
A research vessel belonging to an agency which protects endangered right whales hit one of the animals off the Massachusetts coast recently, cutting into the animal's left tail fluke with its propeller.
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Right whales could face sonar threat
(Added: 15 March 2009)
Right whales that frequent Florida waters may be threatened by recently approved US Navy sonar projects. Approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Navy’s plan will include training in the right whales’ natural habitat along the Eastern Seaboard.
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Blast kills dolphins and turtles
(Added: 22 February 2009)
One of the most delicate ecosystems along the Gujarat coast, the Marine National Park near Jamnagar, India was jolted by a shocking incident recently when a contractor used dynamite to extract the wreckage of a sunken ship.
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Shipping noise and marine mammals
(Added: 01 February 2009)
The issue of anthropogenic sound and its effects on marine life is one of increasing public and scientific interest. Ocean noise can travel over vast distances and affect marine species across many national sea boundaries.
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NOAA consent to sonar impacts
(Added: 13 January 2009)
The U.S. Navy has been given authorisation to impact whales and dolphins while conducting their sonar training exercises around the main Hawaiian Islands. The letter of authorisation and accompanying rules from NOAA's Fisheries Service allow for injury or death of up to 10 animals of each of 11 species over the next five years covered by the regulations.
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