3/13 5 Endangerd Whale Deaths Linked to US Navy

[the.greenbase@green2.greenpeace.org]

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Original-TO:      World Press (Green2:Green2:Gnl:INET)
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                   GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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FIVE ENDANGERED WHALE DEATHS LINKED TO US NAVY; GREENPEACE
CALLS ON CLINTON TO HALT UPCOMING NATO WEAPONS TESTING OFF     
                       FLORIDA    
Navy's Muscle Flexing For China Could Result In More Whale
Deaths  
 
WASHINGTON, March 13 -- (GP) Greenpeace today called on
President Clinton to immediately halt Monday's planned NATO
exercises, including weapons testing, off the coast of Florida
in light of recent evidence connecting the U.S. Navy to the
killing of up to five endangered Northern right whales over
the past two months. 
 
Right whales are the most endangered great whale, numbering
only 320 worldwide.
 
Between early January and late February, five endangered right
whales have been found dead near their calving grounds just
offshore several bases in Florida and Georgia, most notably
Mayport Naval Station and Kings Bay Submarine Base. 
 
Preliminary examinations have found one whale with damaged
eardrums, possibly from an impact or an underwater explosion,
and another with lung damage consistent with a bomb blast.  An
additional whale was found near a gunnery practice range, and
others discovered at sea mysteriously "disappeared."    
 
The whales' migration north for the summer is expected to
begin by the end of March. "For the sake of the whales, we see
no reason why the U.S. Navy cannot wait two weeks," said Gerry
Leape of Greenpeace. "After fighting to save the blue whale in
Antarctica, Clinton must stand up to protect America's right
whales."
 
While the Navy has denied responsibility for the killings, the
National Marine Fisheries Service is meeting with the Navy to
discuss various options to prevent any new deaths. However,
these consultations may fail to reach a positive outcome if
President Clinton does not halt the NATO exercises scheduled
for Monday.  
"All we are asking Clinton to do is the right thing for the
right whales," added Gerry Leape.
 
CONTACT: Gerry Leape,   202.319.2401
         Jonathan Hall, 202.319.2542
 
ALSO:
Roland C. Schmitten      301.713.2239
Head of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
Russel Belmarr           301.713.2311
Chief of Endangered Species, NMFS
Elsie Munsell            703.614.1303
US Navy Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment and Safety 

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