The Whalesong Project Captain's Log: Whale stranding on Molokai

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Whale stranding on Molokai - Navy sonar related?

A rare deep water beaked whale showed up on the island of Molokai during annual Navy RIMPAC exercises. A UPI story says the 2,500 lb. Cuvier's beaked whale was euthanized after repeatedly beaching itself. A press release from Earthjustice describes the incident and some background information. A fresh press release from Earthjustice, not yet published on their website, quotes Colin Crosby of Kihei, Maui, as saying that he and friends heard sonar in the water on Molokai the day before the stranding, at levels high enough that it could be heard out of the water.

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For a Healthy Planet

We at The Whalesong Project are dedicated to inspiring stewardship of the ocean world. The world's ocean's are a resource we all share. Healthy oceans are both a reflection of what is happening on the land, and also a necessary ingredient for healthy life on land. This project began around an underwater microphone we put in the ocean and linked to the worldwide web. For the first time, people on land could hear the mysterious and beautiful songs of Hawai'i's Whales. We gave a microphone to the voice of a species that was recently brought to the brink of extinction. Our projects are growing, and they are all based on acts of love that we hope will inspire people to take care of our planet, so it will be enjoyable for future generations.

Welcome to an Ocean of Sound

It's amazing to us to experience the oceans coming alive with the songs of the Kohola, Hawai'i's "Humpback" Whales each Winter. We hope you also are enlivened and awakened by this experience.

Click here to go to our website and hear this season's songs.

Click here to go directly to our hydrophone and skip the webpage.

If you are having problems listening click here.

This underwater acoustic world is part of our heritage, an important and vital part of life on this planet. Thinking about it, I guess most of us haven't experienced it. From a science perspective, it's fascinating to ponder the physics of sound...why it travels more efficiently through water than through air...why it can travel such long distances. From the perspective of a musician, I find these songs to express many emotions with complete freedom. From the perspective a human being who appreciates life on this planet, I find it nourishing and enriching to to listen to the voices of these mysterious voices connected to some of the largest creatures on earth (and largest brains). What are they expressing? What do they know that we don't? What are their challenges to survive on this changing planet? How can we protect the oceans as changing climate and national security issues penetrate their world. We hope you will ask yourselves some of these questions, and find your own answers as you listen. Aloha, Dan

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Whale stranding on Molokai - Navy sonar related?

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