Whale Mass Stranding Attributed to Sonar Mapping for First Time

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), with the help of International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) led a team to return stranded melon-headed whales from the Loza Lagoon system to the open sea. 

ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Limited caused the whales to be stranded in the lagoon because of a multi-beam echo-sounder system that was operated. WCS and IFAW conducted autopsies on the dead whales to find out why they died. According to the report, this is the first known mass stranding of marine mammals by a sonar system. There is now cause for concern about the impact that the noise has on marine life because various different stakeholders such as the hydrocarbon industry, military, use the sonar systems and research vessels. 

“The report concluded: "The potential for behavioral responses and indirect injury or mortality from the use of sim

ilar MBES [multi-beam echosounder systems] should be considered in future environmental assessments, operational planning and regulatory decisions."” Dr. Howard Rosenbaum, Director of the Ocean Giants Program for WCS, supports the conclusion that the noise from sonar systems has a potential impact on marine mammals. He hopes that with these conclusions that there will be more rules established for the use of sonar equipment to better the lives of marine mammals.

Dr. John G. Robinson the Executive V.P. for Conservation and Science told reporters how much he appreciated the time and work the government has contributed to this process. He also stated how gratefully he was that the Government of Madagascar has allowed his work and studies.  Dr. Robinson makes it clear that “Understanding what causes mass strandings of marine mammals is critical to prevent this in the future. In this case, the cooperation by industry, conservation organizations, and government regulatory authorities led to best science being evaluated by an independent panel, which came up with conclusion based on weight of considerable evidence made available." The Director of Animal Rescue at IFAW, Katie Moore, has explained the difficulties of Mass stranding response and how with the help of locals and the government, together they may rescue as many animals as possible and provide medical care to the animals that remain alive. Although the rescue and care of these animals is very important it is “equally important” to find the root problem with animal stranding.  Many large, well-known businesses and committees are coming together to provide assistance, those include: WCS, ExxonMobil, the NOAA Marine Mammal Stranding Network, the NOAA Ocean Acoustics Program, the Marine Mammal Commission, BOEM, IWC, and SEA.