WHALE STRANDINGS

After Surveillance Towed Array Sonar System - Low Frequency Active Testing

While reviewing the many documents and comments addressing SURTASS LFA, we feel, at best, it is confusing. Because the test was set up as a classified military operation, it is extremely difficult to accept "independent scientist" opinion on harmful effects to whales. The situation is further complicated by comments and actions of some of the National Marine Fisheries Service personnel who are only able to theorize on the impacts since they, too, do not have factual information about LFA to make educated determinations.

Take, for example, this quote from a memo obtained under FOIA from NOAA/Sacturaries and Reserves Division expressing additional concerns about testing that had been articulated in a previous memo on the subject:

"One clarification. You state that the LFA source will transmit at a lower intensity level than ATOC. The LFA *transmissions* may or may not be at a lower level than the ATOC transmissions. The LFA folks have promised that during the research phase the *received level* at target animals will be no greater than 160 dB. However, depending on how far away those animals are, the transmissions may be much louder (estimates are in about the 210-230 dB range, but the actual source transmission level is classified). Some individuals have expressed concern that there may be animals closer to the source that are inadvertently exposed to higher dB levels."

Like many of you, we operate on a very small budget and are limited as to what we can do to evaluate or understand what, if any, impact LFA may have. We started off reviewing LFA tests conducted in Central California, targeting the Gray Whale. The tests took place between January 5 and January 23, 1998. The following data - presented in chart form by Jerye Mooney, http://members.aol.com/OrcaInfo - was compiled from Stranding Reports obtained from the National Marine Fisheries Service. The data does not say conclusively that the whales died from LFA testing. However, EnviroWatch, Inc. believes that the high incidence of Gray Whale calf strandings is abnormal and should trigger concern within the scientific community and the National Marine Fisheries Service. In particular we are questioning whether the calves may have been more sensitive to the high decibel testing then adult whales, or, perhaps the adult whales so affected by the testing they abandoned their young. Or, is NMFS studying other possible causes for the abnormally number of calf deaths during this time period?

We will be compiling and evaluating more data on this study, both in Hawaii and California. If any one has information on strandings, we would appreciate your sharing it with us at Envirowatch@envirowatch.org.   We can also be reached at:

Synopsis - California Cetacean Strandings

red indicates strandings during and one month after testing periods.

? indicates unidentified whale (possibly gray whale)

more details on gray whale strandings...

Many thanks to Jerye Mooney, http://members.aol.com/OrcaInfo for providing above chart