U.S. Navy exercises linked to 3 dolphin deaths

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

March 26, 2011
U.S. Navy exercises linked to 3 dolphin deaths
Training off San Diego coast being probed for possibly violating federal law; Navy says it was following proper procedure

(AP) SAN DIEGO - A Naval training exercise that included an underwater blast off San Diego's coast has been linked to at least three dolphin deaths earlier this month, prompting a probe into whether the military violated the federal law that protects marine mammals.

Navy officials, who reported the deaths of the long-beaked common dolphins following the March 4 detonation off the coast, say they were following proper procedures and will continue with the training.

The National Marine Fisheries Service plans to take another look at the Navy's pending request to disturb marine mammals between Imperial Beach and Coronado, where it conducts amphibious and special warfare training, agency leaders told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Friday.

The Navy's application, which has been in the works for years, says it does not anticipate any dolphin deaths due to training. But following the March 4 incident, the fisheries service opened an enforcement case to determine whether the Navy violated the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, which is designed to safeguard dolphins, whales and similar creatures.



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/26/national/main20047559.shtml

[Ian David]

1. Maw and Paw BAD! n/t

[Night Crawler]

2. If we expect our Navy to be able to reliably launch

cruise missiles into a sovereign nation without murdering innocent civilians they need to practice their maneuvers. If a few dolphins have to be sacrificed, so be it.

Life is dangerous.

[Arctic Dave]

4. What does launching tomohawks have to do with special warfare training?

Coronado is the beginner seal training base.

[bluesmail]

3. ...just following orders... eom

[RedCloud]

5. I guess chimps are next.