Published on May 28, 2018
May 28, 2018: According to locals in New Zealand this type of thing just doesn’t happen on this scale, in fact they are calling this “unprecedented”. Haven’t ever seen anything this big before.
https://www.mrmbb333.com
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/1042…
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/1041…
Perhaps there is a connection to proposed seabed mining in this area, as media reported last year?:
“Blue whales – the world’s largest animal – have been found in abundant numbers in a proposed seabed mining area in Taranaki.
Marine mammal expert Leigh Torres made a presentation to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in Wellington on Wednesday on the results of a recent survey in the South Taranaki Bight, which found a blue whale population of at least 68.
The EPA is meeting to hear arguments for and against an application from miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) to mine millions of tonnes of iron sands off the coast of Patea. TTRs first application was rejected in 2014.”
Please note that the whales that stranded are Sperm Whales not Blue Whales, but nevertheless the connection is still relevant.
Martin
SEE ALSO:
And at theConTrail.com:
Whales, Sonar and Human Noise
Researchers believe that noise pollution from submarines, ships and communications may interfere with the ability of whales to locate food and communicate with one another and find mates. Beached whales in the Galapagos, Corsica, the Dutch Antilles, Greece, California and the Canary Islands have also been blamed on man- made noise.
Researchers have found that powerful sonar used to search for submarines—which environmentalists say reaches 215 decibels—may harm whales and dolphins. Low-frequency active sonar can produce vibrations equivalent to a jet fighter taking off while those in the midfrequency range produce sound equal to a rocket.
Research by the Smithsonian found “between 100 and 200 cases” over 40 years involving the beaching of beaked whales in areas where sonar was being used. It is believed that sonar can be particularly damaging in places where there are underwater canyons that channel, amplify or reflect sound.
Autopsies of marine animals suspected of being killed or injured by sonar have revealed holes in organs and bleeding around the brains and ears, conditions that are consistent with people who have the bends. Some scientist have theorized that the sonar scares them and causes them to ground themselves or rise too quickly, causing the nitrogen in their blood to transform into gas, causing the bends and bleeding in vital organs.
The oil and gas industries use of seismic air guns in their search for new oil and gas deposits under the sea bed. The noise is so loud that can be heard across entire oceans. In recent years these industries has also been called on to reduce the practice because of its threat to whales and other marine creatures.
Sonar Whale Beaching Incidents
The U.S. Navy has been fingered as primary suspect in whale beachings, deaths and injuries. In the spring of 2000, 16 beaked whales beached themselves, with six whales dying, on a beach on a northern Bahamas island, near where United States Navy ships were using powerful sonar (235 decibels) in anti-submarine exercises. Autopsies showed hemorrhaging around the brain and ear bones of the whales that may have caused them to beach themselves and may been caused by the impact of the sonar from the ships. Two minke whales and spotted dolphins also beached themselves in the same area. Afterwards the Navy acknowledged it played a role in the beachings and determined the whales may have gone ashore to try and escape the noise….
More at source link above
