[MARMAM] important comment opportunity -- Rice's whale

[Jasny, Michael]

Dear MARMAM community - I'm writing to alert you to a comment opportunity on an 
important conservation matter.

Recently, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposed designating 
critical habitat for Rice's whale in the Gulf of Mexico, under the U.S. 
Endangered Species Act. Rice's whale, as many are aware, is one of the most 
endangered baleen whales on the planet, with a population estimated at fewer 
than 100 individuals. Aside from the natural vulnerability that comes with 
small population size, the species faces a number of serious anthropogenic 
threats, including ship strikes, oil spills, and chronic ocean noise from 
seismic surveys and shipping.

NMFS's proposed designation for the whale comprises shelf-break waters from 
Florida to Texas, between the 100 and 400m isobaths. This area was defined 
based on multiple lines of evidence: sightings from large-vessel surveys, 
acoustic monitoring from sites along the northern Gulf, studies of the whale's 
prey and prey distribution, and analyses of habitat suitability.

Designating critical habitat is essential to species conservation under the 
Endangered Species Act, and it will be essential to recovery of this endangered 
whale. If you're interested in the species, I strongly encourage you to submit 
comments to NMFS. To do so, please go to this submission 
page 
(https://www.regulations.gov/document/NOAA-NMFS-2023-0028-0001) and click the 
comment icon. The proposed critical habitat designation is 
here.

Thanks,
Michael


Michael jasny
Director, Marine Mammal Protection

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
4479 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver, bc v6r1s4
T 604.736.9386
c 310.560.5536
mja...@nrdc.org

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[MARMAM] new position on ocean noise at NRDC

[Jasny, Michael]

Dear MARMAMers,

The Marine Mammal project at NRDC is recruiting for a new, permanently endowed 
position on ocean noise.

The position will engage on a broad range of ocean noise issues, with an 
initial focus on reducing noise from large commercial ships. The work includes 
national and international advocacy, corporate campaigning, advancing 
science-based policy, and building cross-sector coalitions.

We're willing to consider candidates based anywhere in the United States.

A full job description is below. If you're interested, please visit 
https://careers-nrdc.icims.com/jobs/4342/senior-advocate-for-quiet-seas/job and 
upload your resume and cover letter from there. And please let me know if you 
have questions.

Thanks,
Michael


Senior Advocate for Quiet Seas
Natural Resources Defense Council
Overview
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is the nation's most effective 
environmental action organization. We use law, science, and the support of more 
than 3 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife 
and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living 
things. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our staff helped write some of America's 
bedrock environmental laws; our marine mammal cases and campaigns have played a 
major role in shaping current policy on whale and dolphin conservation in the 
United States and internationally. Today, our staff of more than 500 lawyers, 
scientists, economists, policy and communications experts, and others, work out 
of offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, 
Bozeman, Montana, and Beijing.

Position Summary

NRDC is seeking an experienced advocate for a newly endowed position in our 
Marine Mammal Protection Project. This position, the Ken Balcomb Senior 
Advocate for Quiet Seas, will help lead our work to protect marine wildlife 
from ocean noise pollution, which has become a major issue for marine 
conservation in the United States and internationally. The work includes 
corporate campaigning, international advocacy, lobbying at various levels of 
government, advancing science-based policy, and building cross-sector 
coalitions, with an initial focus on reducing noise from large commercial 
ships. Success is about developing strong strategic goals, identifying 
opportunity, and achieving progress over time through smart, persistent 
advocacy.

The successful applicant will join NRDC's Marine Mammal Protection Project, a 
team of lawyers and scientists that fights to save marine mammals and their 
habitat from ocean noise, bycatch, harmful development, and other threats.
Responsibilities

  *   Develops and executes high-impact campaigns to prevent and reduce 
underwater noise pollution, including a corporate responsibility campaign aimed 
at controlling noise from commercial shipping;
  *   Represents NRDC on legislative issues related to ocean noise and marine 
wildlife at the federal, state and local level, including communication with 
elected officials and their staffs and drafting of legislative and regulatory 
proposals;
  *   Advances ocean noise code and guidelines at intergovernmental 
organizations, including the International Maritime Organization and the 
Convention on Migratory Species;
  *   Builds alliances and maintains relationships across the shipping sector, 
including with shipowners, ports, technical experts, and regulators;
  *   Helps lead coalitions of environmental organizations to lobby for 
national and international ocean noise control;
  *   Speaks publicly on ocean noise pollution in a wide range of public 
contexts, including in traditional and social media and at public events;
  *   Develops science-based policy on quieting commercial ships, including by 
directing naval architects, economists, acousticians, and other experts in the 
preparation of technical papers on ocean noise solutions;
  *   Participates in related legal cases brought by NRDC; and
  *   Contributes to marine mammal project fundraising by assisting in 
proposals and engaging in regular, consistent outreach to foundations and major 
donors.
Qualifications

  *   At least 8 years of experience in environmental advocacy, with 
demonstrated leadership, creativity, and accomplishment.
  *   An advanced degree in a field relevant to the position, such as law, 
engineering, ocean science, or public policy;
  *   Experience working with government agencies, with Congress, and with 
intergovernmental organizations;
  *   Ability to lead complex coalitions with diverse national and 
international membership;
  *   Ability to manage and prioritize an independent workload while also 
working as a member of a team;
  *   Exceptional research, writing, communication (in both traditional and 
social media), listening, and analytical skills;
  *   Ability to understand and explain scientific material to non-specialists;
  *   Courtesy and diplomacy in dealing with colleagues, government 

[MARMAM] BOEM denies geophysical survey permits in Atlantic

[Jasny, Michael]

Today, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced that it had 
denied all six applications for seismic oil and gas surveys now pending off the 
U.S. east coast.  In denying the permits, BOEM concluded that the environmental 
risks of allowing the surveys to go forward outweighed the benefits.  In 
particular, it cited as reasons for denial the potential harm to marine 
mammals, including the North Atlantic right whale; the possible future 
availability of lower-impact seismic technologies, such as vibroseis, if 
surveys are deferred; the lack of any immediate need for seismic exploration 
given the removal of the Atlantic  from the administration's 5-year leasing 
program; and the possibility that data acquired today could become outdated if 
leasing is opened too far into the future.

About the North Atlantic right whale, BOEM wrote: "Given that the next Five 
Year Program excludes the Atlantic from leasing from 2017-2022, and the 
potential for less intrusive seismic technologies in the  near future, the 
potential disadvantage to this small, critically endangered, and declining 
population is not worth the risk."

BOEM's press release on the denials is here: 
https://www.boem.gov/press01062017/.  Please let me know if you have questions.
Michael



Michael jasny
Director, Marine Mammal Protection

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
4479 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver, bc v6r1s4
T 604.736.9386
c 310.560.5536
mja...@nrdc.org

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[MARMAM] major court ruling on the MMPA

[Jasny, Michael]

All,

On Friday, the Ninth Circuit-the federal court of appeals that presides over 
much of the western United States-issued a ruling in NRDC v. Pritzker.  The 
case concerns the impacts of the U.S. Navy's SURTASS LFA system on marine 
mammals, and came to the Court on an appeal by NRDC and our co-plaintiffs.

We argued that NMFS had failed its duty under the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
(MMPA) to prescribe mitigation measures achieving the "least practicable 
impact" on marine mammals and their habitat.  The Court agreed with us and, in 
so doing, made a number of major rulings on the MMPA's mitigation standard.

In particular, the Court held that NMFS must ensure the least practicable 
impact on marine mammals "even if population levels are not threatened 
significantly."  It also held that protecting marine mammal habitat from Navy 
sonar is "of paramount importance" under the law, and that, where data on 
marine mammal distribution are limited, the agency is compelled to err on the 
side of overprotection rather than underprotection.

Please let me know if you'd like a copy of the opinion.  Best,
Michael


Michael jasny
Director, Marine Mammal Protection

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
4479 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver, bc v6r1s4
T 604.736.9386
c 310.560.5536
mja...@nrdc.org

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[MARMAM] op-ed on commercial shipping noise and Navy

[Jasny, Michael]

Hi All,

I want to make folks aware of an unusual op-ed on shipping noise, which was 
published in Sunday's edition of the Richmond (Va.) Times-Courier.  The op-ed 
was co-authored by myself and William Parker III, a former Commodore in the 
U.S. Navy and now COO of the EastWest Institute, urging the Navy to help quiet 
commercial ships for the sake of both national security and the environment.  
Many of the same points we make in the op-ed would apply to other navies as 
well.

Please let me know offline if you'd like an electronic copy of the print 
version (which looks much nicer), or you can read the op-ed on the 
Times-Dispatch website: 
http://www.richmond.com/opinion/their-opinion/guest-columnists/article_02f6a5cb-a413-5915-879d-c99353d0bdf3.html.

Cheers,
Michael


Michael jasny
Director, Marine Mammal Protection

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
4479 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver, bc v6r1s4
T 604.736.9386
c 310.560.5536
mja...@nrdc.org

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[MARMAM] settlement reached in Navy sonar case

[Jasny, Michael]

All,

Last year, a number of conservation groups filed litigation in U.S. federal 
court challenging Navy sonar and underwater explosives activity off Southern 
California and Hawaii.  As I reported last March, the Court ruled in favor of 
plaintiffs on multiple grounds.

Since then, our groups and the Navy have engaged in intensive negotiations to 
see if we could come to agreement on a court order that protects marine mammals 
while meeting national security needs.  The parties reached agreement in 
principle last month, and today the Court entered our agreement as an Order.

For the first time, notably, the Navy has agreed to restrict and limit 
mid-frequency sonar (and explosives) activities off the U.S. west coast and to 
expand restrictions off Hawaii beyond humpback whales.  The settlement protects 
blue whale foraging grounds off San Diego County, beaked whale habitat around 
California's Channel Islands, and waters around the Big Island, Maui, and 
Molokai that host numerous small, resident populations of odonocetes.  Other 
provisions are intended to reduce ship-strike risk for large whales and secure 
research funds for beaked whale populations off Southern California.

The settlement is the product of genuinely constructive, good-faith discussions 
among the parties: the Navy, NMFS, and our organizations.  My sincere hope is 
that we can extend the same constructive effort to other areas where sonar 
activities are concentrated.

Please let me know if you'd like a copy of the settlement.

Cheers,
Michael


Michael jasny
Director, Marine Mammal Protection

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
4479 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver, bc v6r1s4
T 604.736.9386
c 310.560.5536
mja...@nrdc.org

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[MARMAM] opinion issued in Navy sonar/ explosives case

[Jasny, Michael]

Dear All,

A federal court in Hawaii has just issued an opinion in our case challenging 
Navy sonar and explosives activities, off Southern California and Hawaii, and 
NMFS' decision to authorize the Navy's take of marine mammals.

The Court ruled for Plaintiffs on all claims: for all parties under the U.S. 
Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act, and in favor of 
Conservation Council for Hawaii on the additional ESA and National 
Environmental Policy Act claims it raised in the related case.

Among other points, it held, under the MMPA, that there was no rational 
connection between the facts on record and NMFS' determination that the takes 
resulting from the activity would have a negligible impact on marine mammal 
populations.  It also held that the agency's acceptance of the Navy's 
mitigation claims-namely that no mitigation beyond the use of safety zones was 
practicable-is arbitrary and capricious.

As the Court remarked, in declining to address some of the narrower arguments 
made by Plaintiffs:

[T]he problems this court identifies are so fundamental
that the court cannot conceive of a new Final Rule or new LOAs
that simply tweak the earlier documents and regurgitate old
language. If NMFS addresses the matters identified here, any new
Final Rule or new LOAs will need to be so completely different
from existing documents that present issues should be irrelevant.

In this case, NMFS authorized the Navy to take marine mammals some 9.6 million 
times over 5 years, mostly through behavioral disruption and temporary 
threshold shift, in the course of its sonar and explosives activities.  It also 
authorized some 2000 instances of permanent threshold shift and about 135 
mortalities.

Please send me an email offline if you'd like a copy of the opinion or have any 
questions.

Best,
Michael



Michael jasny
Director, Marine Mammal Protection

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
4479 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver, bc v6r1s4
T 604.736.9386
c 310.560.5536
mja...@nrdc.orgmailto:mja...@nrdc.org

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[MARMAM] job announcement -- NRDC Marine Mammal Fellowship

[Jasny, Michael]

All,

I'm pleased to announce that NRDC will be hiring a two-year, full-time, 
post-doctoral Fellow in marine mammal science.  The Fellow will work with 
NRDC's Marine Mammal Protection Project and allied programs, and be supported 
by our Science Center.

A full description of the position and instructions for applying are available 
at http://bit.ly/1LwhQiX.  We will consider candidates committed to work out of 
any of NRDC's offices, but location in Los Angeles or New York is preferred.  
We plan to begin considering applications on March 15.

Please feel free to email me if you have questions about the Fellowship.

Cheers,
Michael


Michael jasny
Director, Marine Mammal Protection

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
4479 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver, bc v6r1s4
T 604.736.9386
c 310.560.5536
mja...@nrdc.orgmailto:mja...@nrdc.org

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Re: [MARMAM] shipping noise guidelines adopted by IMO

[Jasny, Michael]

Hi All -  A few weeks ago, I posted news of the IMO's adoption of guidelines to 
reduce underwater noise from commercial ships, and offered an unofficial 
version.  There was a great deal of interest - and thanks to everyone for their 
messages.

Please know that the official version of the guidelines has now been released, 
though it's immured within the IMO's document library.  You can download it 
directly from the following URL: 
http://docs.nrdc.org/water/files/wat_14050501a.pdf.

Cheers,
Michael

From: Jasny, Michael
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 8:37 AM
To: 'MARMAM@lists.uvic.ca'
Subject: shipping noise guidelines adopted by IMO


Some good news from London.  On Thursday, the International Maritime 
Organization (IMO) adopted guidelines to reduce underwater noise from 
commercial ships.

The new guidelines:

- recognize that shipping noise can have short-term and long-term 
impacts on marine life;

- call for measurement of shipping noise according to objective ISO 
standards, which are themselves on the verge of adoption;

- identify computational models for determining effective quieting 
measures;

- provide guidance for designing quieter ships and for reducing noise 
from existing ships, especially from propeller cavitation; and

- advise owners and operators on how to minimize noise through ship 
operations and maintenance, such as by polishing ship propellers to remove 
fouling and surface roughness.


While these (as yet) are voluntary guidelines, not mandatory code, they put the 
IMO's imprimatur on noise reduction.

Thanks go to the U.S. government, which put the issue on IMO's agenda and 
shepherded it through the IMO's byzantine processes, and to Germany, Australia, 
Spain, the UK, and other governments that supported and helped develop the 
guidelines.  Thanks also to the coalition of progressive trade groups, research 
and academic scientists, and NGOs who partnered with member states to get this 
done.  The more difficult work - implementation - lies ahead, but the 
guidelines are a milestone in the advancement of this issue.

Please contact me if you'd like an unofficial copy of the guidelines, or if you 
have questions or suggestions for the next phase of work.

Cheers,
Michael


Michael Jasny  |  Director, Marine Mammal Protection
Natural Resources Defense Council| www.NRDC.orghttp://www.nrdc.org/
4479 W. 5th Avenue | Vancouver, BC V6R1S4
o: 604.736.9386 | c: 310.560.5536 | e: mja...@nrdc.orgmailto:mja...@nrdc.org

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[MARMAM] new endangered species listing for Hawaiian whales

[Jasny, Michael]

Dear All,

Today the National Marine Fisheries Service published a regulation listing the 
Hawaiian insular false killer whale as endangered under the U.S. Endangered 
Species Act.

The population is small (~150 animals), demographically isolated, range-limited 
to the main Hawaiian Islands, and threatened by numerous stressors including 
bycatch, overfishing, toxics, and noise.  In its listing notice, NMFS concurred 
with the finding of its expert review team that the population stands at a high 
risk of functional extinction within 75 years.

Among other things, the listing will require the agency to identify and protect 
the whales' critical habitat, to regulate activities that affect them, and to 
produce a recovery plan.

The listing is available at: 
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-11-28/pdf/2012-28766.pdf.  We congratulate 
NMFS on its decision and look forward to helping in whatever ways we can as it 
works towards the population's recovery.

Best to all,
Michael


Michael Jasny
Senior Policy Analyst
Director, Marine Mammal Protection Project

Natural Resources Defense Council
4479 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4
tel. 604-736-9386
mob. 310-560-5536
fax 310-434-2399
mja...@nrdc.orgmailto:mja...@nrdc.org


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[MARMAM] new comment period on false killer whale listing

[Jasny, Michael]

All --  As you may know, NMFS has proposed listing the Hawaii insular false 
killer whale as endangered under the ESA.  In light of new data, it has just 
reopened its comment period on the listing for fifteen days.

The new data largely concern false killer whales photographed and tagged off 
Kauai and in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.  The photo-ID, genetics, and 
tagging work all indicate that the these animals are part of a Northwest 
Hawaiian Islands population - distinct from the insular population at issue in 
the listing.  We believe that the new data only provides further confirmation 
of the isolation of the HI insular whales and the need to list them.  Only 
around 150 individual whales remain.

We hope folks can submit comments in continued support of the listing, in light 
of the new data.  All but one of the relevant papers are available on 
Cascadia's website: 
http://www.cascadiaresearch.org/hawaii/falsekillerwhale.htm.  NMFS' notice can 
be found at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-09-18/pdf/2012-23001.pdf.

*Comments are due October 3rd* and should be sent electronically to the 
www.regulations.govhttp://www.regulations.gov website.

Best,
Michael


Michael Jasny
Senior Policy Analyst
Director, Marine Mammal Protection Project

Natural Resources Defense Council
4479 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4
tel. 604-736-9386
mob. 310-560-5536
fax 310-434-2399
mja...@nrdc.orgmailto:mja...@nrdc.org




Michael Jasny
Senior Policy Analyst
Director, Marine Mammal Protection Project

Natural Resources Defense Council
4479 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4
tel. 604-736-9386
mob. 310-560-5536
fax 310-434-2399
mja...@nrdc.orgmailto:mja...@nrdc.org


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[MARMAM] Airguns along the U.S. east coast

[Jasny, Michael]

Dear All,

On behalf of several NGOs, NRDC has submitted extensive comments to the U.S. 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, about its plan to open up the U.S. 
mid-Atlantic and south Atlantic to seismic surveys.

We are deeply concerned about the government's analysis of marine mammal 
impacts.  The fundamental issue, as we see it, is that the agency does not take 
the problem of cumulative, sublethal effects seriously; and misapprehending 
their scale and potential significance, it fails to consider alternatives 
sufficient to address it.  BOEM does not attempt to identify biologically 
important habitat for protection, aside from a portion of North Atlantic right 
whale habitat; does not attempt to reduce the enormous amount of activity that 
is contemplated, e.g., by restricting exploration from areas that are unlikely 
to be leased; and fails even to devise a long-term marine mammal monitoring 
plan for the region.  Together with the greater impacts recently predicted from 
Navy activity, populations in the U.S. Atlantic will be hard hit.

Please write me if you'd a copy of our comments.  BOEM plans to make a final 
decision in November of December.  We'll keep the community apprised as this 
important issue moves forward.

Best,
Michael


Michael Jasny
Senior Policy Analyst
Natural Resources Defense Council
4479 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4
tel. 604-736-9386
mob. 310-560-5536
fax 310-434-2399
mja...@nrdc.orgmailto:mja...@nrdc.org


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[MARMAM] Comments needed on Arctic oil and gas -- Feb. 28 deadline

[Jasny, Michael]

Dear All,

**I'm writing to alert everyone to an important issue for comment.**

NMFS recently issued a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on offshore 
oil and gas exploration - both seismic surveying and drilling - in the Alaskan 
Arctic.  As written, the document contemplates high levels of activity.  The 
Beaufort Sea could see as many as six 2D/3D seismic surveys, five site 
clearance/shallow hazard surveys, and two exploratory drilling programs each 
year; and the Chukchi Sea as many as five 2D/3D seismic surveys, five site 
clearance/shallow hazard surveys, and two exploratory drilling programs 
annually.

NRDC and pretty much the entirety of the environmental community are deeply 
concerned about the poor analysis in the document.

For example, NMFS assumes that marine mammals would not be disturbed by airgun 
noise at received levels below 160 dB.  It makes no attempt to quantify how 
much disruption would occur each year, or to model masking effects, or to 
consider the cumulative impacts of all this anticipated activity on acoustic 
habitat.  And it leaves uncertain whether it will adopt any measure, such as 
time/place restrictions, that can mitigate impacts beyond a short distance of 
the airgun array or drilling site.

**NMFS is accepting comments through February 28.**  Your input will be 
critical to convincing the agency that a scientifically defensible final 
product will require considerably more effort.

You can download the impact statement at 
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/arctic.htm.  Comments should be 
submitted to: arcticeis.comme...@noaa.govmailto:arcticeis.comme...@noaa.gov.  
I'd be grateful for a copy of any comments you send.  Please feel free to email 
me with questions.

Many thanks,
Michael


Michael Jasny
Senior Policy Analyst
Natural Resources Defense Council
4479 W. 5th Avenue
Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4
tel. 604-736-9386
mob. 310-560-5536
fax 310-434-2399
mja...@nrdc.orgmailto:mja...@nrdc.org


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[MARMAM] update on ziphius mass stranding in the Ionian Sea

[Jasny, Michael]

Dear all,

 

I have some additional information on activities taking place in the
Ionian Sea that may be associated with yesterday's mass stranding.

 

From November 27 through today (Dec. 2), the Italian Navy has been
conducting a major exercise known as Mare Aperto in the
central-southern Tyrrhenian, Ionian, and southern Adriatic.   The
exercise includes maritime surveillance and force projection from the
sea.  In past years, Mare Aperto has involved as many as 12 ships
including frigates and aircraft carriers.

 

At least one of the participating ships in this year's exercise is an
Italian Maestrale-class frigate called the Scirocco.  The Maestrale
class is reportedly equipped with two active sonar systems: the
hull-mounted DE 1160B, which, according to Jane's Underwater Warfare, is
basically identical to the U.S. Navy's AN/AQS-56; and VDS DE 1164, which
is a variable-depth version of the same system.

 

Of course, the exercise covered a wide area, and we don't yet know how
closely it may be correlated in space and time with the mass strandings.
All possible causes, including other anthropogenic noise sources, should
be investigated.  But I would urge ACCOBAMS, and anyone with contacts in
the region, to request specific information from the Italian Navy on the
nature, timing, and location of activities associated with Mare Aperto,
including the use of active acoustic systems.

 

Best to all,

Michael

 

 

Michael Jasny

Senior Policy Analyst

Natural Resources Defense Council

4479 W. 5th Avenue

Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4

tel. 604-736-9386

mob. 310-560-5536

fax 310-434-2399

mja...@nrdc.org 

 

 

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Re: [MARMAM] New atypical mass stranding of Ziphius in the Ionian Sea, Greece

[Jasny, Michael]

In response to one of Alexandros' questions: in at least one incident
involving Navy sonar training (the Haro Strait, Washington, event of May
2003) witnesses reported hearing sonar whistles above the waterline.  

 

These latest strandings are extremely concerning.  It has sometimes
taken governments months or  years to publicly divulge information on
intrusive acoustic activities - including sonar training and seismic
surveys - after a mass stranding event has occurred.  Along with
Giuseppe, I would urge ACCOBAMS and CMS - and other intergovernmental
organizations that have adopted resolutions on ocean noise - to request
relevant information from their member states; and I would urge states
to respond as soon as possible. 

 

Finally, this incident underscores the need for meaningful,
habitat-based mitigation for sonar training, seismic exploration, and
other intense sources of ocean noise.  It seems clear - simply on the
basis of prior mass stranding events - that the eastern Ionian Sea
should be put off-limits to such activities, as were the Canary Islands
to mid-frequency sonar training through the responsible actions of the
Spanish government several years ago.  The MPA that ACCOBAMS has
proposed there is long overdue.

 

Best to all,

Michael

 

 

From: marmam-boun...@lists.uvic.ca [mailto:marmam-boun...@lists.uvic.ca]
On Behalf Of Alexandros Frantzis
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 4:05 PM
To: ecs-t...@jiscmail.ac.uk; marmam@lists.uvic.ca
Subject: [MARMAM] New atypical mass stranding of Ziphius in the Ionian
Sea,Greece

 

Dear all,

Once more we have bad news regarding Cuvier's beaked whales in the
Ionian Sea. The local population unit, which has repeatedly been
affected by NATO naval activity (last time in February 2011 east of
Sicily) may be steadily heading towards its extinction...

Today 30 November 2011 at least three Cuvier's beaked whales stranded
alive and atypically in west Corfu, along 23 km of coast. All whales
were led offshore by people who tried to rescue them. One whale died
some 200 m offshore. Another whale, after having swam some 600 m
offshore, returned and stranded once more (if this wasn't a different
animal). It was led once more offshore after the sunset, so no further
information is available so far. The third animal was not seen after it
was rescued.

I would like to draw your attention on two peculiarities:

1) Independent rescuers in two different stranding areas, reported that
they were hearing whistles while approaching the single animals. The
whistles were heard even out of the water at a distance of 100 m from
the animal (!), and became much louder when the rescuers entered the
water to approach the animal. The rescuers kept hearing the whistles
until they left the place, two hours after the death of the unique whale
present! They thought that there might be other whales calling the
stranded animal from further offshore, although they could observe
nothing for hours.

Two independent rescuers (separated by 23 km) described these whistles
as emission-pause of 10-15 seconds-emission-pause and so on. I
wonder if what the rescuers were hearing was the probable sonic cause of
the stranding. If you have a similar experience or knowledge, please
share it with us.

The rescuers didn't see any military or seismic survey vessels from the
shore. A fisherman from the area said that today he saw an unusual
research vessel offshore that he believes (it is known in the area that
seismic surveys have started or are about to start) was performing
research for oil.

2) The whale that died 200 m offshore was found at about 3-4 m depth at
an unusual position (to me at least). Its flukes were on the sea bed
while the beak and part of the head of the animal was out of the water!
For some reason the head could float at surface and the animal never
sunk. Does anyone has an explanation?

Unfortunately no necropsy was performed to the animal that died.

The port-police authorities and local volunteers have been alerted and
we just hope that tomorrow we won't find more animals along the coasts.

Repeated use of military sonar and now growing seismic survey activity
go on in an area that is critical for the two deep diving Mediterranean
species, the Cuvier's and the sperm whales. In 2007 ACCOBAMS officially
proposed the creation of a MPA for deep diving cetaceans in the eastern
Ionian Sea (Hellenic Trench), but nothing has happened so far.

Best wishes,
Alexandros



-- 
___ 
 
Dr. Alexandros Frantzis 
Scientific director 
Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute 
Terpsichoris 21 
16671 Vouliagmeni, 
GREECE 
Tel.: +30-210-8960108 
e-mail: afrant...@otenet.gr 
website: http://www.pelagosinstitute.gr 
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[MARMAM] deadline next week for false killer whale listing

[Jasny, Michael]

Dear All:

 

I'd like to alert everyone to an upcoming comment deadline on a proposed
endangered species listing in the United States.

 

On November 17, NMFS proposed adding the insular Hawaiian false killer
whale to the U.S. endangered species list.  In support of this action,
it relied on the findings of its biological review team, which concluded
that the population satisfies the conditions for listing.  In short, it
found (1) that the population is discrete from other false killer whale
populations; (2) that it is significant to the species as a whole based
on its unique ecology and other factors; and (3) that it is at serious
risk of functional extinction within the next 75 years.

 

The deadline for commenting on this important proposal **will expire
next Tuesday on February 15.**  Please consider commenting, and feel
free to contact me with any questions.

 

Directions on submitting comments electronically or by mail can be found
on the first page of NMFS' notice, at
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-11-17/pdf/2010-28843.pdf. 

 

Many thanks,

Michael Jasny

 

 

Michael Jasny

Senior Policy Analyst, NRDC

4479 W. 5th Avenue

Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4

t 604-736-9386

c 310-560-5536

mja...@nrdc.org

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[MARMAM] NOAA announcement on sonar

[Jasny, Michael]

Dear All,

 

Today NOAA announced a new initiative to potentially mitigate harm from
U.S. Navy mid-frequency sonar, and from other sources of ocean noise as
well.  

 

The announcement, which comes in a letter from Dr. Lubchenco (NOAA
Administrator) to Nancy Sutley (Chair of the White House Council on
Environmental Quality), is available at
www.nrdc.org/media/docs/100119.pdf.  

 

The letter specifies that NOAA will conduct a series of workshops (1) to
learn more about marine mammal hotspots, particularly through
available predictive habitat models; (2) to develop a plan for assessing
the cumulative environmental impacts of sonar, oil exploration, and
other sources of intense ocean noise; and (3) to improve marine mammal
monitoring on the Navy's ranges.  Based on the results of these
workshops, the agency will consider additional measures to reduce harm
from sonar, in future rulemakings and authorizations under the MMPA. 

 

In addition, the agency expresses an interest in conducting
comprehensive, multipurpose surveys for marine mammals and sea turtles;
and it notes its participation in ongoing negotiations over sonar
mitigation between the Navy and NRDC.  

 

NOAA puts a good deal of emphasis in the letter on habitat
identification and avoidance, stating that Protecting important marine
mammal habitat is generally recognized to be the most effective
mitigation measure currently available.

 

It's worth noting, of course, that today's announcement is only a plan
and not a prescription, and much will depend on what happens over the
next year.

 

Cheers,

Michael

 

 

 

Michael Jasny

Senior Policy Analyst

Natural Resources Defense Council

4479 W. 5th Avenue

Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4

tel. 604-736-9386

mob. 310-560-5536

fax. 310-434-2399

 

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[MARMAM] first appeals court ruling on sonar

[Jasny, Michael]

On Friday night, the U.S. Court of Appeals issued a ruling on Navy sonar
off southern California.  This is the first ruling by a U.S. appeals
court on the merits of this issue; and it came down on the same day as a
lower court decision on Hawaii sonar training, which Paul Achitoff
summarized.in a recent posting.

 

In January (as many of you know), a federal court issued an order that
required additional mitigation of the Navy while allowing it to continue
training off southern California.  Within two weeks, the White House
issued waivers that would have effectively exempted the Navy from the
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Coastal
Zone Management Act (CZMA), the two laws that the Navy was found to have
violated. 

 

This new 108-page ruling from the Court of Appeals affirms that the Navy
had violated the law, that the mitigation the district court prescribed
was reasonable and in the public interest, and that the White House NEPA
waiver was illegal.  (The lower court also found the President's CZMA
waiver to be constitutionally suspect, but both courts declined to rule
on that issue since the case could be resolved on narrower grounds.)

 

The mitigation measures required under the order include geographic
restrictions (i.e., exclusions on sonar use within 12 nm of shore and
within the Catalina Basin, which lies between Santa Catalina and San
Clemente Islands); an expanded safety zone provision, requiring
shut-down if marine mammals are detected within 2200 yards; a provision
requiring the Navy to power down by 6 dB during significant surface
ducting conditions; and enhanced monitoring requirements (including
dedicated aerial surveillance before exercises, training of visual
observers by NMFS, and use of the Navy's range instrumentation for
passive acoustic monitoring to the extent practical).

 

In its decision, the Court of Appeals upheld the injunction, but
temporarily modified the safety zone and surface-ducting provisions to
allow the Navy time to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

As always, please let me know if you'd like a copy of the ruling.

 

Cheers,

Michael

 

 

 

 

Michael Jasny

Senior Policy Analyst

Natural Resources Defense Council

4479 W. 5th Avenue

Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4

tel. 604-736-9386

fax 310-434-2399

[EMAIL PROTECTED]

 

PRIVILEGE AND CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

 

This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged,
confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law as
attorney-client and work-product confidential or otherwise confidential
communications. If the reader of this message is not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution,
or copying of this communication or other use of a transmission received
in error is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission
in error, immediately notify me at the above telephone number.

 

 

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[MARMAM] court ruling on mid-frequency sonar

[Jasny, Michael]

A U.S. District Court judge, in Los Angeles, issued a preliminary
injunction yesterday against the U.S. Navy's use of mid-frequency sonar
during major exercises off southern California.

 

At yesterday's hearing, the court ruled from the bench (1) that
Plaintiffs had shown a probability that the Navy had violated federal
law (which is the legal standard on preliminary relief); and (2) that
the environment would suffer irreparable harm if the exercises proceed.
In her tentative ruling, the judge characterized the Navy's mitigation
measures as woefully inadequate and ineffectual.

 

We are expecting the court to issue a written opinion and order shortly.
Please let me know if you would like a copy when it comes down.

 

Cheers,

Michael

 

 

 

Michael Jasny

Senior Policy Analyst

Natural Resources Defense Council

4479 W. 5th Avenue

Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4

tel. 604-736-9386

fax 310-434-2399

[EMAIL PROTECTED]

 

PRIVILEGE AND CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

 

This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged,
confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law as
attorney-client and work-product confidential or otherwise confidential
communications. If the reader of this message is not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution,
or copying of this communication or other use of a transmission received
in error is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission
in error, immediately notify me at the above telephone number.

 

 

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[MARMAM] LFA comment deadline - next Tuesday

[Jasny, Michael]

Hi all --  Just a reminder that the comment deadline for the U.S. Navy's
SURTASS LFA sonar system is next week.

 

Last week, the National Marine Fisheries Service proposed allowing use
of the system, which produces high-intensity, low-frequency sound,
within some 70 percent of the world's oceans.  This proposal would undo
most of the mitigation that has governed the system's use for the last 5
years -- including a court order that significantly restricted where the
Navy could operate (mostly to pelagic areas of the western Pacific), in
order to avoid important habitat for marine mammals.  NMFS' proposal
would also allow the Navy to double the number of systems in the water,
from two to four.

 

NMFS is giving the public only 15 days to comment on its proposal.  The
deadline is **this Tuesday, July 24th.**

 

Among the topics for comment:

 

*   Mitigation that NMFS should require.  As it stands, NMFS'
proposal would reduce the Navy's current coastal exclusion zone from
30nm to 12nm, and, with very few exceptions (the Costa Rica Dome, the
Gully off Nova Scotia, an area in the Antarctic), would not proscribe
use of the system in any offshore area outside the U.S. 

 

*   The effectiveness of the Navy's monitoring system.  NMFS and the
Navy claim that the monitoring system is close to 100% effective at
detecting all species of marine mammals approaching 1 km of the ship.

 

*   Impacts of ocean noise and low-frequency sound on marine
mammals.

 

NMFS' proposal is available at
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/lfa_proposedrule0707.pdf. Comments
should be emailed to P. Michael Payne at [EMAIL PROTECTED]  

 

If you have any thoughts or questions, please feel free to email me
directly.

 

Many thanks,

Michael

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Jasny

Senior Policy Analyst

Natural Resources Defense Council

4479 W. 5th Avenue

Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4

tel. 604-736-9386

fax 310-434-2399

[EMAIL PROTECTED]

 

PRIVILEGE AND CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

 

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which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged,
confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law as
attorney-client and work-product confidential or otherwise confidential
communications. If the reader of this message is not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution,
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in error is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission
in error, immediately notify me at the above telephone number.

 

 

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[MARMAM] NRDC fellowship - reminder

[Jasny, Michael]

Dear all,

 

Just a reminder that applications for NRDC's two-year fellowship in
marine mammal science are due this Friday, June 15.  (See details
below.)

 

Best,

Michael

 

 

 

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a national nonprofit
conservation organization, has an opening beginning September for a
two-year, full-time, marine mammal biologist in our Santa Monica,
California office.  The Fellow will work with NRDC's Marine Mammal
Project as part of a team focusing on the impacts of environmental
stressors, such as warming oceans and undersea noise, on populations of
marine mammals.  He/she will also collaborate with other science fellows
in a newly established NRDC Science Center.

 

This position is modeled after the AAAS Environmental Fellowship program
and is designed as an opportunity to make practical contributions to the
more effective use of scientific and technical information in
environmental policy decision-making.

 

Specific tasks will include developing policy recommendations for the
integration of environmental factors into marine mammal stock
assessments; assisting NRDC in preparing technical comments on the
cumulative impacts of human activities on the marine environment;
preparing publications for lay and scientific audiences on the
assessment of environmental stress in marine mammal populations; and
engaging the regulatory and scientific communities on these issues.

 

Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent doctoral-level degree in marine
mammal science, population biology, or related field, with experience in
modeling or statistics; an excellent scientific or technical background;
and a strong interest in applying scientific knowledge to environmental
problems. The successful applicant will also have excellent writing
skills and enjoy working on an interdisciplinary team with people from
different professional backgrounds.  He/she should thrive under a
fast-paced environment, with well-honed abilities to manage and
prioritize a heavy workload.

 

The salary for this position is commensurate with experience.  We offer
competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a pleasant working
environment.  NRDC is an equal opportunity employer, and we particularly
encourage women and people of color to apply.  Interested applicants
should forward a letter of interest, which addresses the following:  

 

a.  why the fellowship is desired

b.  how the candidate is qualified

c.  what issues interest the candidate

d.  how the candidate hopes the fellowship will affect his/her career
goals.

 

Applicants should email cover letter, resume, and writing sample no
later than June 15, 2007 to [EMAIL PROTECTED]  In your correspondence,
please indicate where you saw this job announcement.  No phone calls or
faxes, please. 

 

For further information about NRDC, please visit www.nrdc.org.

 

 

 

Michael Jasny

Senior Policy Analyst

Natural Resources Defense Council

4479 W. 5th Avenue

Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4

tel. 604-736-9386

fax 310-434-2399

[EMAIL PROTECTED]

 

PRIVILEGE AND CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

 

This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged,
confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law as
attorney-client and work-product confidential or otherwise confidential
communications. If the reader of this message is not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution,
or copying of this communication or other use of a transmission received
in error is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission
in error, immediately notify me at the above telephone number.

 

 

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[MARMAM] new NRDC fellowship in marine mammal science

[Jasny, Michael]

Dear MARMAM-ers,

 

NRDC is offering a new two-year fellowship in marine mammal science, to
begin in September.  See below for details, and please feel free to
contact me with questions.

 

Best,

Michael

 

 

 

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a national nonprofit
conservation organization, has an opening beginning September for a
two-year, full-time, marine mammal biologist in our Santa Monica,
California office.  The Fellow will work with NRDC's Marine Mammal
Project as part of a team focusing on the impacts of environmental
stressors, such as warming oceans and undersea noise, on populations of
marine mammals.  He/she will also collaborate with other science fellows
in a newly established NRDC Science Center.

 

This position is modeled after the AAAS Environmental Fellowship program
and is designed as an opportunity to make practical contributions to the
more effective use of scientific and technical information in
environmental policy decision-making.

 

Specific tasks will include developing policy recommendations for the
integration of environmental factors into marine mammal stock
assessments; assisting NRDC in preparing technical comments on the
cumulative impacts of human activities on the marine environment;
preparing publications for lay and scientific audiences on the
assessment of environmental stress in marine mammal populations; and
engaging the regulatory and scientific communities on these issues.

 

Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent doctoral-level degree in marine
mammal science, population biology, or related field, with experience in
modeling or statistics; an excellent scientific or technical background;
and a strong interest in applying scientific knowledge to environmental
problems. The successful applicant will also have excellent writing
skills and enjoy working on an interdisciplinary team with people from
different professional backgrounds.  He/she should thrive under a
fast-paced environment, with well-honed abilities to manage and
prioritize a heavy workload.

 

The salary for this position is commensurate with experience.  We offer
competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a pleasant working
environment.  NRDC is an equal opportunity employer, and we particularly
encourage women and people of color to apply.  Interested applicants
should forward a letter of interest, which addresses the following:  

 

a.  why the fellowship is desired

b.  how the candidate is qualified

c.  what issues interest the candidate

d.  how the candidate hopes the fellowship will affect his/her career
goals.

 

Applicants should email cover letter, resume, and writing sample no
later than June 15, 2007 to [EMAIL PROTECTED]  In your correspondence,
please indicate where you saw this job announcement.  No phone calls or
faxes, please. 

 

For further information about NRDC, please visit www.nrdc.org.

 

 

 

Michael Jasny

Senior Policy Analyst

Natural Resources Defense Council

4479 W. 5th Avenue

Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4

tel. 604-736-9386

fax 310-434-2399

[EMAIL PROTECTED]

 

PRIVILEGE AND CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

 

This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged,
confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law as
attorney-client and work-product confidential or otherwise confidential
communications. If the reader of this message is not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution,
or copying of this communication or other use of a transmission received
in error is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission
in error, immediately notify me at the above telephone number.

 

 

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[MARMAM] Navy exempts itself from MMPA

[Jasny, Michael]

FYI:  the U.S. Navy yesterday issued itself a 2-year exemption from the
U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) for its training with
mid-frequency sonar.  

 

The exemption covers all of the Navy's sonar training on its ranges and
operations areas and all of its major exercises, which take place in
various sites around the globe.  It follows a decision from the
California Coastal Commission a few weeks ago, under a different law, to
require additional mitigation when the Navy uses sonar off the
California coast.

 

Please contact me if you'd like a copy of the Navy's exemption or the
Coastal Commission's decision.

 

Best,

Michael

 

 

Michael Jasny

Senior Policy Analyst

Natural Resources Defense Council

4479 W. 5th Avenue

Vancouver, BC  V6R1S4

tel. 604-736-9386

fax 310-434-2399

[EMAIL PROTECTED]

 

PRIVILEGE AND CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

 

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which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged,
confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law as
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communications. If the reader of this message is not the intended
recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution,
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