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Article: WHALES, PORPOISES SEEN ACTING STRANGELY DEGREE OF SONAR HARM TO MARINE MAMMALS DEBATED.(News)
- Article from:
- Seattle Post-Intelligencer
- Article date:
- March 18, 2005
- Author:
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Byline: DEBERA CARLTON HARRELLP-I reporter
Scientists and whale-watchers in Haro Strait could hear the sonar long before they saw the USS Shoup.
As the pings grew louder above and beneath the waves, sounds ricocheting off submerged land forms, onlookers saw a minke whale, Dall's porpoises and killer whales behaving strangely.
Whale expert David Bain said a minke, usually wary of research boats, was nearly run over by one. The porpoises panicked, bolting from the unnatural sounds. A pod of orcas swam into an unusual area, hid for a while, then split up, reuniting a day later.
But to the chagrin of those hoping for stronger marine ...