navy granted ability to kill whales

The U.S. government opened the doors to allow the killing of whales by the Navy, over the next five years, during sonar testing off the Hawaiian Islands, according to the Environmental New Service.

This comes weeks after the U.S. Navy and the NRDC, and others, settled the law suit that contended sonar testing was causing irreparable damage, and sometimes death, to whales and dolphins in surrounding areas.

It should be noted that “Hawaii is the only place in the United States where humpbacks breed, calve, and nurse their young. Approximately 4,000-5,000 whales migrate to the Hawaiian Islands each winter. Although the population of humpbacks is increasing, these whales remain endangered.”

Each year the U.S. Navy is granted a letter of authorization by the NOAA.  The letter states the rules and regulations that the Navy must follow for marine protection. It is reissued, annually, provided the Navy abides by the terms and conditions of the letter, submits the required annual reports, and shows their activities do not result in more numerous effects or more severe harm to marine mammals than were originally analyzed or authorized. 

This year’s letter contains the provision that injury or death of up to 10 animals of each of 11 species over the five years is allowed by the regulations.  

Many criticize the NOAA since it was created as a means to protect marine mammals and other species.  This seems like another parting gift from the Bush administration and their slow destruction of the planet. No word on if this decision can be overturned when new leadership is in place after January 20th.