Ministry of Defence lie over dolphin death activity
The British Ministry of Defence has once again demonstrated its propensity for duplicity.
Following the worst mass stranding of marine mammals in the UK for nearly thirty years, in which more than 29 stranded dolphins died, the MoD initially ruled out any involvement.
Dolphin and marine mammals generally are thought to be critically effected by naval sonar systems and several incidents in recent years in which groups of marine mammals have been found dead have been linked to ongoing naval exercises.
However, following the incident earlier this week the MoD discounted involvement only to subsequently admit that 'survey work' utilising sonar was ongoing in the area. They initially persisted with a denial that any 'live firing' exercises were ongoing in the area only to modify this statement later and confirm that a full range of military activity was under way.
The estuary near Falmouth is not far from the Dodmans Point firing range which the Celtic League has in the past campaigned to close.
This location off the South of Cornwall is also regularly used for anti-submarine exercises and it was to the west of this area that the Breton MFV Bugaled Breizh sank mysteriously with the loss of all on board several years ago.
The latest incident is part of a pattern during the military exercise season. Environmentalists from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) voiced concerns earlier this year about the mysterious stranding of several whale species off the West of Scotland, including five Cuvier's beaked whales a species rarely seen in British waters.
See related articles on Celtic News at:
Link - Navy initially suggest 'benign' survey work under way but subsequently admit of live firing exercise:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
10/06/08
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