Green Options » marine mammals

Toxic Dolphins Found in Miami

Jake Richardson — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:51:10 +0000

Scientists found unusually high levels of flame retardant in dolphin blubber.

The closer the dolphins lived to downtown Miami, the more of the chemical was concentrated in them. The flame retardant can cause sterility in dolphins. Brominated flame retardants are applied to furniture, clothes and electronics to prevent them from burning. They also help slow the ignition of items that are in a burning room.

First Sea Lion Killed in Controversial Cull; Media Banned

Alex Felsinger — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:38:52 +0000

The first two sea lions were captured today in the joint Oregon and Washintgon sea lion killing program, with one being euthenized shortly after capture. The sea lions are being targeted because they eat salmon.

The animal was given a health exam when a veterenarian noticed a potentially contagious wound and decided to euthanize the it. Some captured animals may be placed in zoos or aquariums, but since very few such vacancies exist, many of the sea lions will be killed.

Judge Orders Navy Sonar Restrictions to Protect Whales

Jennifer Lance — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:26:43 +0000

U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper ordered the Navy to refrain from using the powerful submarine-hunting sonar within 12 miles of the California coast, thus protecting migrating gray whales, dolphins and other marine mammals. The Navy must spend an hour before any sonar training missions searching for marine mammals, and use shipboard observers and aircraft to monitor for whales and dolphins while the sonar is in use. If any marine mammals are spotted within 2,200 yards of a ship, the Navy will have to cease using sonars immediately.

Source: LA Times

Image courtesy of Environmental News Service