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Low Frequency Active Sonar Gains US Gov. Approval

Posted by michael on from the can-you-hear-me-now dept.

burntout writes "According to bbc online the US government has finally approved the use of low frequency active sonar. Apparently the navy has been granted an exemption from the marine mammal protection act for this, which is apparently 'necessary because of new superquiet Chinese, Russian, and German subs'."

5 of 68 comments (clear)

  1. Sonar and whale strandings by Peter+T+Ermit · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Though this issue is a bit overhyped, once in a while, the Navy does kill a few whales. For instance, in March, 2000, 17 beaked whales died due to getting battered with sonar. (Link to NOAA press release here.)

    1. Re:Sonar and whale strandings by JabberWokky · · Score: 5, Funny
      And the Army probably mauls a few dozen rabbits, groundhogs and skunks under tanks and troop carriers. The Air Force nukes its share of birds with high powered radar.

      And a van full of PETA demonstrators recently hit a deer while driving to some protest.

      --
      Evan

      --
      "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
  2. Re:This is an overhyped issue... by heikkile · · Score: 5, Funny
    Using an active sonar array advertises your position
    to any other submarines in 30-90 nm radius

    Who cares! Once they are within a micrometer, or even a whole
    meter from you, you are toast anyway!

    --

    In Murphy We Turst

  3. War is good... by noxavior · · Score: 5, Insightful

    To provide excuses for any action. Destroying the world's most peaceful creatures because we want to kill each other is ironic and disgusting.

    --
    Karma:This parrot is dead! (and so is the joke.)
  4. Extremely sad by MrIcee · · Score: 5, Interesting
    This is on our front pages of todays paper here in Hawaii. This is a blow for the island and the marine creatures that surround it.

    Yes... it causes whales and dolphins to die. Much of the experiments were carried out in the water around Hawaii, thanks to the military idiots that abound here.

    And yes, they know that it cause havoc with the animals. It's sad, because whales travel thousands of miles each year to give birth to their babies off the coasts of our islands. Not only will this dissrupt their normal cycle of life, but also will drive them away (which also hurts our tourist industry as well as our scientific industries who try to study the whales).

    But, like everything else... our government has it's preverbal head up it's ass and only thinks of itself with it's MIGHT MAKES RIGHT mentality.

    I think personally, it is time for Hawaii to secceed the US... kick out the military, and bring back a balance to life on these beautiful islands.