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Press Release from Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society: January 28, 2010 - Map, photos available

Contact: ReginaAsmutis-Silvia, Senior Biologist, +1 508 451 3853, regina.asmutis-silvia@wdcs.org

right whale © WDCS

(Plymouth, MA, USA) - WDCS has teamed up with US based conservation groups today to challenge the U.S. Navys decision to build its $100 million Undersea Warfare Training Range next to the only known calving ground for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. Along with the Southern Environmental Law Center, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Humane Society of the United States, and nine other conservation groups, WDCS has brought the challenge.

"Right whales shouldnt be subjected to the threats that accompany this range - ship strikes, entanglement and noise disturbance - in the only place in the world where vulnerable females give birth to and care for their calves," said Catherine Wannamaker, an attorney with Southern Environmental Law Center. "While we recognize the Navys need to train, there are ways to accommodate that need without introducing multiple risks of harm into such a sensitive area."

The project threatens the already precarious survival of right whales by compounding the threats of vessel strikes and noise disturbances--into an area critical to mothers and calves.

"The people of the south east who welcome the return of the right whales each year know all too well the gruesome results when one is struck by a ship," said Sierra Weaver, attorney for Defenders of Wildlife. "This project will almost certainly increase that threat, and yet the National Marine Fisheries Service, the agency in charge of protecting the whales, has given the Navy a green light."

The legal challenge alleges that the Navy and the National Marine Fisheries Service failed to study the environmental impacts of building and operating the training range at this location. The Navy decided to construct the range now, even though it acknowledges that more research needs to be done on the ranges environmental impacts before operations can begin. In documents filed with the court, the groups argue that the agencies must first address the impacts from operating the range before deciding to construct it.

"The Navys decision to shoot first and study the environmental impacts of using this facility later simply makes no sense," said Sharon Young, field director of The HSUS. "The Navy is playing Russian roulette with one of our most imperiled wildlife species."

As part of the planned training, Navy ships - exempt from speed restrictions designed to protect right whales - would pass through the calving grounds when travelling between the proposed training area and bases at Jacksonville, FL, and Kings Bay, GA. Ship strikes are the single largest cause of death for right whales with at least eight right whales killed in the past six years, including three pregnant females.Ship traffic in the calving grounds is of particular concern since data suggests female right whales are struck more often, possibly because they must spend more time at the surface with their calves which have undeveloped lung capacities. Scientists believe that the loss of even one right whale a year from non-natural causes could jeopardize the future of the species.

After laying cables through the 500 square nautical mile training area, the Navy plans to conduct 470 annual exercises on the training range with up to three vessels and two aircraft deploying exercise torpedoes, parachutes and sonobuoys, and sonar and other noise pollution. This was done despite strong concerns expressed by the States of Georgia and Florida, conservation groups, and scientists. The Navy has proceeded with its plans without implementing recommended measures that could have lessened the impact of its activities.

"Using the suggested measures to minimize impacts is not going to reduce effectiveness of the Navy, but it could well save a species from extinction." said Regina Asmutis-Silvia, WDCS Senior Biologist.

The challenge was filed today in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia by Defenders of Wildlife, The Humane Society of the United States, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for a Sustainable Coast, Florida Wildlife Federation, North Carolina Wildlife Federation, South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, Animal Welfare Institute, Ocean Mammal Institute, Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats, and Cetacean Society International. The groups are represented by attorneys from Southern Environmental Law Center, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice, and Natural Resources Defense Council.

Note to editors:
* Photos and video b-roll of right whales are available at http://www.nmfs.noaa.govor by contacting the GA Department of Natural Resources.
* A map showing the proposed project and right whale sightings is available by contacting ksullivan@selcnc.org
* Comments on the project by groups can be found here
* The U.S. Navys final Environmental Impact Statement is available here
* The U.S. Navy record of decision document can be found here
* NMFS Biological Opinion can be found here
* Georgias correspondence after final EIS can be found at: hereand here
* Floridas correspondence after final EIS can be found here

About WDCS
WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, is the global voice for the protection of whales, dolphins, porpoises and their environment. WDCS has offices in the UK,Germany, Argentina, Australia and the US.

About Defenders of Wildlife
Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than one million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org.

About Earthjustice
Earthjustice (www.earthjustice.org) is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth, and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment.

About The Humane Society ofthe United States
The Humane Society of the United States is the nations largest animal protection organization -backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty - On the web at humanesociety.org.

About the Natural Resources Defense Council
NRDC is an international, non-profit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.3 million members and online activists,served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing. www.nrdc.org

About Southern Environmental Law Center
The Southern Environmental Law Center is the only regional non profit using the power of the law to protect the health and environment of the Southeast( Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama).Founded in 1986, SELCs team of 40 legal experts represent more than 100partner groups on issues of climate change and energy, air and water quality, forests, the coast and wetlands, transportation, and land use.
WEB: www.SouthernEnvironment.org
FACEBOOK: http://www.fanofselc.org
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/selc_org

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