Respect! Ceasing the Coastal War Games During Whale Migration

During the Annual Whale Migration off the West Coast

by S. Lawson

March 7, 2019

Every year in March, despite numerous complaints, both U.S. and Canada conduct Military Firing Practices off the West Coast of Canada in the middle of the whale migration.

These gentle giants, mostly Grey Whales as well as some Humpbacks and others, many with their newborn young, migrate Northwards along the coast at this time of year in their great annual migration.

The whales, along with many other marine species, are following the once great herring migration. At the very same time, the military decides to do their annual testing of rockets, bombs and other artillery at sea in the same area, just off the coast.

I live on an island near Long Beach and Tofino and often hear and feel the tremors and blasting taking place out on and in the Pacific Ocean. The whales, with their acute hearing for long distances, are severely disturbed by this practicing war zone taking place offshore, judging from research done on seismic testing and marine life in Hawaii.

It is likely that the herring migration, the sea lions, the halibut, cod and many other species which depend upon the herring and follow them along and into the coastline, are deeply affected by the blasting too. I would imagine that they would attempt to take refuge in inside waters or away from the direct energy and effect of the noise and impacts.

There have been reports of young whales being found dead onshore near the areas where this is taking place. It is time to stop this practice at such a crucial time of year here and bring some sense of respect to the ocean environment and what is left of the marine life struggling to survive amidst the plastics, radioactive waters pouring into the sea from Fukushima, sewage, fish farm diseases and a myriad of other human created disasters they are dealing with.

Give them respect as well as space and a chance for survival in these challenging times.