I focus my love, energy, and light to the whales and dolphin of Hawaii, who are being killed by our Navy.
But that is only the beginning. The noise level will be made louder and louder (up to 215 dB). If the whales can survive that, the level will then go up to 255 dB. According to the Navy's contractor, if the researchers notice the whales in "acute distress," they will stop. When the Navy's sound source was tested off California, three dead humpback whales were found nearby. When the sound source was tested off Kauai last all, another dead humpback whale was found.
To use endangered whales as military sonar targets is a crime against nature. Earth justice attorney Paul Achitoff said, "The Navy has tried to minimize public awareness, and the controversial tests are scheduled to continue over the next several months unless the court enjoins them." But the great court sided with the military! The National Marine Fisheries Service has now extended the testing to mid-April. The same day the judge failed to stop the testing, a lone humpback whale calf was tracked for five hours, indicating that its mother was dead. The abandoned calf's behavior indicated it was in distress. Behavior patterns of tail slaps, pectoral fin slaps and breaching (where whales literally jump out of the water), all indicate the calf was highly agitated. In fact, the calf breached 215 times during the first two hours it was observed, which indicates intense distress.
After WW1 whalers started using sonar to track whales. They quickly found that whales were so frightened by sonar that it caused a predictable flight response, making them easier to catch. Subsequently, special sonar was developed in Norway and was found to be especially effective in frightening Baleen whales. Humpback whales are, of course, Baleen whales. The Marine Mammal Commission pointed out in its congressional report that if the LFA sonar system were made available for worldwide use as proposed, all species of marine mammals, including those on the endangered species list, could possibly be affected.
The effects on Marine Mammals from LFA sonar transmissions could include:
• Death from lung hemorrhage or other tissue trauma
• Temporary or permanent hearing loss
• Disruption of feeding and mating behaviors • Abandonment of traditional feeding and breeding areas
• Psychological and physiological stress.
• Changes in important prey species
Last month, I expressed the dream of joining together to meditate for specific reasons. Through internet groups are linking together around this issue, simultaneously joining our voices and energy for correct action. Hopi prophecy says that the great spider weaved the alphabet and gave us language and that when the web is completed, it will be the end of times. I wonder if this couldbe her web?
Why would we participate in such an unconscious act?! We have many ways of informing our government of what we want and do not want! Please remember that our government is our EMPLOYEE. This is an election year, so make a pledge to only vote for people who care about us and our planet. Our voices are all that we have to show how we feel, so please speak out! If you are not part of the web, ask friends to e-mail for you or call the 1-800 numbers and say to your elected officials, "Stop the tests. No more! I have had it!!!"
To find out more about LFA Sonar and see up-to-date postings on the situation, check out the National Resources Defense Council's web site, http://www.dreamweaving.com/lfas.htm, http://www.nrdc.org/nrdc/status/ocnoissr.html or call 1-800-331-2077and e-mail: nrdcinfo@nrd.org. To protest LFA sonar testing contact State Representative David Tarnas, St. of Hawaii DNLR, Chair of Aquatics Resources, Mike Wilson, Chairman, 1151 Punchbowl St. Honolulu, HI 96813. Phone 808-587-0400, fax 808-856-8514. E-mail: reptarnas@capitao.hawaii.gov. Off: 808.587.0400 Fax: 808.587.0390 no e-mail address.
Home | Archives | Contact
Us | Advertising Rates | Writers
Guidelines | Mission Statement