New mid and low frequency sonar used by the Navy kills whales by causing dangerous gas bubbles to form in whales' organs and blood vessels according to a study published in "Nature" on 10-9-03. The Navy is now pushing through a national defense exemption to our laws that protect wildlife. The Navy has persuaded the House to pass such an exemption in the Defense Department authorization bill. This is now in conference committee where the House and Senate try to agree on a common version of the bill. The whales get the bends from the new high decibel sonar, and they beach themselves and die. They bleed from the ears. The Navy wants to deploy itsw new sonar in 80% of the oceans, even though it may kill many whales, dolphins, and other ocean creatures. This sonar may even interfere with the reproduction of most fish. The 'precautionary principle" which says "first , do no harm" or when trying something new, if there are significant dangers,do not do it until it has been fully tested and found to be safe- this and common sense would argue that this new sonar should not be deployed.

Please ask ask your senators and representative to stop this national defense exemption from our environmental laws. from "Sonar may be harming whales," Marc Kaufman, Washington Post, 10-9-03 and "Whale Deaths Linked to Sonar" NYTimes editorial, 10-15-3. For more information, google "whales sonar navy " with "earth island ", "animal welfare institute,"and "nrdc".