Publisher’s Notebook: Unfriendly Fire

BY ANNE SOBLE

Whatever one’s views on the specifics, it shouldn’t be too surprising that the same military mentality that regards unprecedented civilian death tolls with indifference, or manipulates the handling of the loss of an NFL hero to friendly fire for recruiting purposes, doesn’t think the protection of marine mammals is a high priority. Last Thursday, the California Coastal Commission took the last resort measure of filing suit in federal district court against the U.S. Navy over its refusal to comply with conditions that could help protect marine mammals and other ocean creatures from the adverse effects associated with the use of undersea sonar during training exercises in local waters. Among CCC conditions the Navy refuses to implement are avoidance of critical marine mammal habitat, including the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary and the gray whale migration route; powering down of ships at night and during times of low visibility when whales and other species are more difficult to see; expanded safety perimeters around vessels to prevent direct sonar blasts at animals; and use of the lowest sonar levels necessary for an exercise. Whales have been severely injured or killed after direct encounters with mid-frequency sonar. Scientific research documents a direct correlation, if not outright causality, between these loud pulses of sound and animal disorientation and irreparable damage.

The choice is not between naval exercises and marine life. Effective training can be balanced with environmental protection. The current climate of political fear-mongering has made it increasingly difficult for reason to prevail, but the spectre of 9/11 only can be trotted out so many times before its manipulative misuse becomes evident. The members of the California Coastal Commission are no strangers to vociferous critics and should be able to stand up to disparagement from those for whom might makes right. Those who say that the Navy’s stance undermines not only the state Coastal Act but all federal coastal protection laws are on target. This is just one more attempt to blur lines in the sand as well as lines on the ocean’s floor.