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Sorry,
After posting this original message our attentuion has been
drawn to some mis-information. This revised posting has incorporated these
sugestions. The conclusions are concerns expressed are
unchanged.
Simon
IWDG express concern about NATO Operation Steadfast Jaguar in Cape Verde The Irish Whale
and Dolphin Group (IWDG) have recently learnt that NATO intend to use a range of
active sonar systems during their forthcoming training exercise Steadfast
Jaguar in the Cape Verde Islands.
There has been considerable concern over the impact of Low Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) on cetaceans from marine mammal experts from around the world including North America and Europe. In addition, there is considerable evidence that active sonar systems, particularly mid-frequency ones, have been a major factor in the mass stranding of cetaceans, including the poorly understood and rarely seen, beaked whales. Recent pathological evidence suggests these deep diving species may suffer air embolisms or the bends due to rapid surfacing after reacting to strong acoustic sources, such as active sonars.
The US Navy admitted the potential of mid-frequency active sonars to kill marine mammals after a mass stranding event in the Bahamas during a NATO exercise in 2000, while LFAS has been the subject of numerous court cases in the US, with US judges ruling against the deployment and use of LFAS on a number of occasions.
As a volcanic archipelago, the seabed around the Cape Verde Islands slope steeply away into great depths. The islands are surrounded by deep-water canyons and shelf slopes which are a prime habitat for beaked whale species. Recent modeling data also suggest that the Cape Verde Islands may be important habitat for a number of beaked whale species.
The IWDG have recently returned from their second expedition to the Cape Verde Islands. The primary objective of both expeditions was to obtain fluke images of humpback whales in order to locate the feeding grounds of the Cape Verde breeding population. It is the opinion of the IWDG, that Cape Verde might be the breeding ground of the humpback whales being observed, with increasing frequency, in Irish waters.
The IWDG have a long-term interest in the ecology and conservation of cetaceans in Cape Verde Islands and are concerned over the possible impacts of Steadfast Jaguar. The IWDG call on NATO to ensure that there is no impact of their sonar systems, particularly LFAS and mid-frequency ones, and other military equipment on marine mammals around Cape Verde during this operation. The IWDG will work together with local groups in Cape Verde to monitor for any effects of this exercise on marine mammals during and after the forthcoming NATO exercises. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group Tel: 00353 86 8545450 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.iwdg.ie ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Steadfast Jaguar website: http://www.nato.int/shape/issues/shape_nrf/steadfast_jaguar.htm Statement from Ian Bailey, Lt UK N, PIO, JFC HQ Brunssum on 11 May 2006 NATO takes the
impact of any of its operations on the environment and wildlife very seriously.
Consequently, the Alliance has developed a general policy for military
principles and policies for Environmental Protection. This doctrine establishes
the mandatory integration of environmental risk management at the initial stages
of the planning process for operations and exercises. Furthermore, NATO requires
that the co-operating host nation's environmental laws be respected during all
NATO operations and exercises.
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Steadfast Jaguar.doc
Description: MS-Word document
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