Dying Whales
September 11, 2020
SENATOR MARSH (TAITANO)’S PUBLIC HEARING TODAY ON ACTIVE SONAR, WE DESERVE THE SAME PROTECTIONS FOR OUR MARINE MAMMALS AS HAWAII AND CALIFORNIA
More than 20 marine mammal species are found in the waters surrounding the Mariana Islands, including some that are considered to be severely endangered such as humpback whales. Our waters are significant breeding, birthing, and resting grounds for numerous species. At the same time, studies have shown that the US of active sonar in military training, such as the type that takes places through the Marianas by the US Navy, has a detrimental impact on marine mammals. For example, scientists have determined that there is a 90-95% correlation between the use of naval active sonar and the stranding of beaked whales on our shores. Because of these negative impacts, Senator Kelly Marsh (Taitano) introduced Resolution 365-35 (LS) or “Prutehi i Mambayena Siha” which calls on the US Navy to, as it does in the testing and training areas for Hawaii and California, cease using active sonar in critical habitat areas for marine mammals. The resolution has received bipartisan support and is co-sponsored by Senators Therese M. Terlaje, Sabina Flores Perez, Telena Cruz Nelson, Clynton E. Ridgell, Joe S. San Agustin, Régine Biscoe Lee, William M. Castro, and Telo T. Taitague. A virtual public hearing for the resolution is taking place tonight at 5 pm.
Explaining her interest in this topic Senator Marsh (Taitano) connected this bill to her larger philosophy over policy, which is tied to protecting and sustaining our community and our community’s resources. She stated, “As an elected leader, I strongly believe that the health of our economy and community is heavily tied to the well-being of our environments, whether it be protecting rare and valuable medicinal plants at Litekyan, keeping our drinking water safe, or seeking to protect our marine ecosystems.”
A community petition was started this past Monday in support of the Prutehi i Mambayena resolution, and has already garnered close to 1,000 signatures. Representatives from stakeholder agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Coastal Management Program, and the Bureau of Statistics and Plans have been confirmed to provide testimony. Also scheduled to testify tonight in support of the resolution are environmental and community-advocacy groups from around the Pacific, including the Sierra Club, Our Common Wealth 670, Youth for Guam, Guam Youth Climate Strike, and Independent Guåhan.
Protecting these marine mammals does not only make environmental sense, but economic sense as well. Senator Marsh (Taitano)’s resolution also highlights the important role our marine mammals play in supporting the visitor industry, which has historically been Guam’s main economic driver. Senator Marsh (Taitano) noted that in 2019 alone, 14 companies were identified as providing boat tours wherein dolphin watching is a highlight. Over 340,000 tourists availed these tours, which made up significant portions of their sightseeing activities.
At a time when the island is seeking to reposition itself and reimagine things such as its tourism foundations, Senator Marsh (Taitano) made a connection to the potential in our marine mammals. She said, “As we look ahead to rebuilding and innovating the re-establishment of our tourism market, preserving what we have, and what makes our part of the world and the Pacific beautiful and special is essential in giving visitors authentic and long-lasting experiences which studies show, is what they are seeking.”
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Dying Whale
By the Communter Poet
February 2016
Giant whale
Lying on the beach
What have you come to show us?
For years you quietly graced
This blue planet
And now
You spend your final hours
Exposed to the world
Naked
Helpless
Dying
Far from the familiarity
Of the deep
Separate from the safety
Of your pod
What courage you have
Great whale
In delivering your message
For all to see
Sharing your final suffering
Motionless
Dignified
Giant and sad
Great whale
Great whale
People have learned
To fly away
To distant planets
To drill great holes
Beneath the earth
To join the elements
And build mighty towers
But for all we have done,
We cannot return you to safety
We cannot do a thing to save you
All we can do is watch
Dumbstruck by your presence
Hoping for the tides to restore you
In vain
In vain
Great whale
I wish that I could talk to you
Understand your secrets
Hear your wisdom
But no words of comfort
Do you speak
Great Whale
No words
Your quiet message
Your being
Here
Grips our silence
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