As the unusual mass stranding of common dolphins at Cape Cod continues, it is perhaps pertinent to revisit another, quite similar mass stranding of common dolphins in Cornwall, UK in 2008.
The UK event was as unusual as the Cape Cod one because it involved scores of dolphins stranded in a short period of time compared to average stranding numbers during other months of the same year. 26 dolphins died in that event, while during other months the numbers of stranded dolphins ranged from 1 to 4. Luckily the Cornwall event was very thoroughly investigated.
Dolphins were also seen milling close to shore prior to the onset of the mass stranding event.
In Cornwall event it was very quickly established that the Royal Navy was doing a whole bunch of activities in the area, including Medium Range sonar, submarine activities, aircraft activities, explosions, etc. The report on Cornwall event concluded that “The link to the naval exercise, while not proven, seemed the most plausible explanation for the adverse behaviour of the dolphins and is the most likely trigger for the mass stranding event.”
So what are the similarities (and differences) between the Cape Cod event and Cornwall event?
Similarities:
1. Both events involved common dolphins.
2. Both events were highly unusual in regard to overall stranding numbers in the area over the year.
3. Dolphins did not strand at once altogether in the same area, but were found in various areas.
4. Dolphins were seemingly in good shape, although detailed necropsy data is pending to compare both events in detail.
5. Some animals were found alive, while other were found dead.
6. Some animals were successfully rescued, refloated and released.
7. Some animals refused to leave and restranded.
Differences
1. Number of dolphins, bigger mass stranding in Cape Cod.
2. Duration of the event, Cape Cod event has been ongoing over 28 days
3. Dolphins in Cornwell stranded in river and a creek.
The Navy Connection
1. In Cornwall event the Navy connection was well established, but not proven 100 %
2. In Cape Cod event nobody connects the Navy to the event even though it is known that Naval exercises COMPTUEX have been and possibly still ongoing somewhere in Atlantic Ocean.
What needs to happen:
1. Just like in case of Cornwall event, rescues, animal activism groups, NOAA, NMFS should request the information from the Navy in regard to their activities in immediate and surrounding areas prior, during and after Jan. 12, 2012. We cannot ignore similarities between Cornwall event and Cape Cod event. The Navy should be required to disclose all exercises types including sonar, submarines, explosives, aircraft, etc.
2. NOAA/ NMFS needs to put temporarily hold on giving the Navy new authorization to test sonar all over the world that is currently pending, until Cape Cod event is thoroughly investigated.
EDIT (02/10): Just got new information that in addition to Comptuex, there is also the “biggest in 10 years” exercise is ongoing called “Bold Alligator”. Maps show Navy’s vessels in the area. The older map is here, vessels were actually even closer to the Cape Cod. Info about the Bold Alligator is here and the recent article about 11 more common dolphins stranded yesterday (02/09) is here.
References:
2. Investigation of the common dolphin mass stranding event in Cornwall, 9th June 2008
The account says Kirsten but it is me Ed, for some reason WordPress does not recognize a second author. If you try to change the author on one, instead of new id all posts are listed as submitted by that author.
I love your style and this article is great the comparison between the two events seems to put the Navy under the gun to provide the relevant data surronding the Cape Cod incident. I just became aware the NOAA is holding open their comment period on SURTASS LFA. I would hope all interested parties make every effort to get on board and submit relevant comments. I for one am most pleased about this development.Kirsten just came in very excited and said the Nay has acknowledge having exercises in this area. Final this issue will be revisited with a better outcome for all marine creatures.
By: Kirsten Massebeau on February 10, 2012
at 6:30 pm
Sadly these comments do not matter much as numerous people have been submitting them over the years, including scientists to no avail. NOAA/NMFS gives those permits by default. The whole commenting process is a joke. Navy pays their own scientists and then cite them in those permits and also they just love to remind everybody that dolphins stranded in Aristotle’s time, like it means they are off the hook. Sad and outrageous.
By: strandednomore on February 10, 2012
at 11:16 pm
It’s blatantly obvious that the US Navy is the cause of these strandings, get your fingers out and do some real honest journalism instead of repeating the lies of the NWO bullshitters you cowards.
By: Peter Laszlo on February 10, 2012
at 10:29 pm
Not sure about NWO, but its a fact that the media is toothless and impotent. Everybody is mum, just unbelievable. Good ole’ investigative journalism is dead.
By: strandednomore on February 10, 2012
at 11:13 pm
I have been interested in the mass strandings for a couple of months now, & have put forward the suggestion that either Sonar or seismic activity seems to be the most logical cause.. But have failed to obtain actual records to compare. Are these somehow obtainable?
By: Miilla de Villiers on February 11, 2012
at 1:09 am
There are very few studies done in the US that show the link. It is understandable given how much funding US scientists get from he Navy. There is one, gigantic conflict of interest present in the field of marine mammals and anthropogenic noise. For example, the conference on Aquatic Life and Noise that was held in Ireland in 2010 was solely sponsored by the oil and gas producers association and the Navy. Recent Marine Mammal Conference in Tampa was sponsored by the Navy, Shell and other interested parties. The influences run deep and wide.
However, despite all that there have been some studies that have actually documented the link between the Navy sonar and strandings. Here is the link to report about Navy activities and beaked whales stranding that happened December 2011. http://www.mail-archive.com/marmam@lists.uvic.ca/msg03804.html
Here is a good review with numerous documented cases on sonar and stranding:
http://www.eli.org/pdf/seminars/10.15.08dc/wmandmaryarticle.pdf
This is a very well documented report of beaked whales stranding in Canary Islands and the Navy connection.
http://www.marineconnection.org/docs/Vet_pathology_BW_sonar_2005_pdf.pdf
This is the article discussing the effects of seismic surveys on humpback strandings in Brazil: http://www.marineconnection.org/docs/humpback_stranding.pdf
It also has to be noted that 2010 was the record year for Brazil’s humpback and right whales strandings that were going on as very active seismic surveys were ongoing off Brazilian Coast.
Here is the article about Mozambique mass stranding and possible connection to seismic surveys: http://www.iol.co.za/scitech/technology/seismic-float-twists-stranding-of-dolphins-1.301955
These are just some resources to get you started. One thing is important though, namely that it is extremely hard to link the Navy and oil/gas producers to the strandings because they are not forthcoming with information in regard to when, what and where they were doing. Another problem is that we still do not know exactly how the stranding is triggered. We have some informal report that in case of Cornwall stranding form example, the helicopters’ noise might have been a contributing factor too. So it is possible that it is not just sonar, but helicopters, explosions, etc.
Hope this helps! Thanks for reading our blog.
By: strandednomore on February 11, 2012
at 5:47 pm
Here is the source for the seismic plotting near the Falkland Islands info you requested.
http://www.geophysicalservice.com/
My research includes reviewing activity by sonar/seismic companies as subcontractors as posted on their websites to pitch for new business.
Transparency is our goal – we work to reveal what is happening and connect the dots so thank you very much for the info regarding the Falklands – can you provide the source?
I am in contact with a big AVID daily birder (remember we operate a bird observatory) on the Falklands. Now, I will contact him and see what he is seeing . . .
I will also respond via a note on Facebook with this info. The more TRUE evidence we build the easier it will be to compile and present.
Another revealing pattern is most of the research results of (we have uncovered) conducted by NOAA and Fed. fisheries NEVER concludes deaths were due to sonar/seismic.
I am trying to get actual scientific reports on deaths so if you have any please forward – we are establishing a tracking methodology.
Why is the Navy spending millions to supposedly mitigate yet it appears most of the funding is for a PR campaign?
What Congressman and Senators do you know who are friendlies?
Are you attending the Commission on Whaling convention in Panama City, Panama?
Do you know William Rossiter, President, Cetacean Society International. He has been involved with scientific research and captivity issues related to orcas since 1981? I was attempting to interview him.
By: Alfombra Bird Observatory, Costa Rica on April 18, 2012
at 7:57 pm
email sent
By: strandednomore on April 19, 2012
at 10:11 pm