Eat the whales, but don't annoy 'em.

[Taro Toporific]

I love it. Japanese want to "protect" the whales from getting drunk (nitrogen narcosis). :)

Rumsfeld defends use of sonar to Okinawans
THE WASHINGTON TIMES / Nov 17 Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld yesterday defended the Navy's use of sonar in the Pacific and told the governor of Okinawa, Japan, that scientific studies have shown it poses little danger to the environment. ...U.S. official said the Navy's sonar is used at several bases. Recently, it was used in Okinawa to detect the presence of Chinese submarines.
The governor's list included a call for banning the use of "new low-frequency sonar made for underwater detection" around Japan, according to a copy of the petition. ...environmental groups have charged that the Navy's low-frequency Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System is harming whales, causing nitrogen narcosis and leading the mammals to beach themselves. Defense officials say the sonar is a vital element of antisubmarine warfare.

[Nagged]

Towed arrays are very long cables that subs unfurl and trail behind them and can be up to 2-3 kilometers long.

I remember reading that active sonar has so much juice involved that the surrounding water literally boils with energy.

Given the sound carrying properties of seawater, it's not surprising that it has adverse affect on marine life. I've heard of similar stories to this article taking place at various locations around the globe.

Here's a link for those who are interested.

Wonder if that Ming was somehow involved with this story?