JULIA QUESTIONS MOD ON MASS DOLPHIN STRANDING (Julia Goldsworthy)

Julia Goldsworthy <info@juliagoldsworthy.org>

JULIA QUESTIONS MOD ON MASS DOLPHIN STRANDING

June 16, 2008 4:46 PM

Defence Minister commits to "full cooperation" in any inquiry-

Falmouth MP Julia Goldsworthy questioned Defence Ministers in the House of Commons today, following reports over the weekend that Merlin Helicopters had also been in the area and had been using sonar around the time that the dolphins stranded last week.

26 dolphins died in a mass stranding in the Falmouth and Helford River, with estimates that around 70 animals had been distressed by the incident. As yet there has been no confirmed cause for the stranding, but there were confirmed reports over the weekend that MoD Vessels and helicopters had been using Sonar equipment in the area.

In the immediate aftermath of the strandings, defence officials insisted that the only sonar in use in the area was aboard a survey vessel using a low-powered seabed scanner. It was later confirmed that the scanner used high frequency sonar. In addition, the Ministry of Defence have now confirmed that Merlin Helicopters were also in exercise off the Cornish coast using a mid frequency sonar dipper which has been associated with cetacean strandings in the past.

In Defence Questions this afternoon, Julia challenged the Minister to explain the reasons for the contradictory statements issued by the Ministry of Defence following the strandings. While the Minister ignored the question of inconsistencies in statements made to the press by defence officials, he committed to full cooperation with any inquiry into the cause of the strandings

The UK cetacean stranding investigation programme is conducting post-mortem examinations and laboratory tests. Results indicating the likely cause of death are expected to take several weeks.

Commenting, Julia said:

"The cause of the dolphin strandings last week is still a mystery - and the Ministry of Defence's contribution so far has been far from helpful. The way in which information has so far been released has created an atmosphere of distrust that they will have to work hard to dispel.

"However, the Minister's commitment to cooperate with inquiries into the cause of the stranding is very welcome. But their involvement in any inquiry must include the release of comprehensive information relating to the use of sonar equipment in the area at the time of the strandings.