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On March 16, 2007 Dr. Marsha Green and the International Ocean Noise Coalition (IONC)
organized public demonstrations in Maui, Oahu and Kauai to protest the U.S. Navy's indiscriminate use
of sonar in areas frequented by marine mammals. These rallies in Hawaii are the first in a series of
demonstrations to educate people globally about sonar and ocean noise.
The demonstrations were conducted on the anniversary of the March, 2000 Bahamas mass stranding where
the Navy's use of mid-frequency active sonar resulted in the deaths of 17 whales of various species.
Local news articles, pictures and flyers distributed during the protests are provided below:
March 28, 2007
Video Interview with Dr. Green About the Protests Against Navy Sonar
March 27, 2007
Saving the Whales… Again
March 14, 2007
Whale advocacy group to protest Navy’s use of deadly sonar in National Sanctuary
March 15, 2007
Sonar sound-off slated in Kahului
Dr. Marsha Green is quoted as saying, "She is protesting a Navy finding of no significant impact in an
environmental assessment for its plan to conduct six exercises in Hawaii waters over two years, firing
sound impulses of up to 173 decibels."
The article should read, "She is protesting a Navy finding of no significant impact in an environmental
assessment for its plan to conduct 12 exercises in Hawaii waters over two years, firing sound impulses
of up to 253 decibels."
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Read our Hawaii Protest Flyer (.pdf file)
January 12, 2007 Dr. Marsha Green and a group of students held protests calling for more protection for humpback whales within the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
January 17, 2007
Demonstrators Urge Greater Humpback Whale Protection
An official defends the efforts of the national whale sanctuary
The sanctuary, established in 1994, encompasses about 1,370 square miles, including
most waters between Maui and the near by islands of Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe. The sanctuary's
stated purpose is to protect humpback whales and their habitat. A map of the sanctuary is located
at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/maps/maps.html
Numerous threats to whales exist within the sanctuary waters:
1. Noise pollution
2. Boat collisions with whales - These are not always reported so the exact number is unknown.
3. Toxic waste - Not all boat harbors have waste pumping stations; therefore boats dump sewage and toxic treatment chemicals in the water daily. Oil spills, fertilizer and toxic chemical runoff and garbage all contribute to the contaminants in the ocean.
4. Debris entanglement - This includes fishing lines and ropes.