U.S., Australian military games may hurt whales - Reuters

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

U.S., Australian military games may hurt whales

By Rob Taylor
Wed May 30, 8:52 AM ET

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Military exercises planned by Australia and
the United States next month off the Australian coast could result
in large-scale whale deaths or injuries, the International Whaling
Commission said.

Powerful warship sonars could also cause widespread whale
beachings, the commission's Scientific Committee said in a report
released at this week's IWC meeting in Alaska.

-snip-

More than 120 military aircraft, tanks and 30 warships, including
nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines will take part in
the Talisman Sabre exercise.

-snip-

Both countries should have a "response team" readied in case of
mass whale beachings during the amphibious exercise, the
committee report said.

Past studies have shown high intensity sonar can severely injure
whales, causing internal bleeding and tissue damage.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070530/sc_nm/australia_whaling_dc