Navy study finds that sonar and blasts might hurt more sea life than previously estimated

[Emily]

Navy study: Sonar, blasts might hurt more sea life

Posted: May 11, 2012 12:16 AM PDT Updated: May 11, 2012 12:35 AM PDT

By AUDREY McAVOY
Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) - The U.S. Navy may hurt more dolphins and whales by using sonar and explosives in Hawaii and California under a more thorough analysis that reflects new research and covers naval activities in a wider area than previous studies.

The Navy estimates its use of explosives and sonar may unintentionally cause more than 1,600 instances of hearing loss or other injury to marine mammals each year, according to a draft environmental impact statement that covers training and testing planned from 2014 to 2019. The Navy calculates the explosives could potentially kill more than 200 marine mammals a year.

A notice about the study is due to appear Friday in the Federal Register...

See: Dead Puget Sound female killer whale, orca L-112, died of massive blunt force trauma

No Navy links known for next one, though acoustic trauma has some researchers considering damage from blasts from O&G seismic exploration:
"Horrific" dolphin mortality north coast of Peru - at least 2800 estimated dead