More whale input
Editor,
As follow-up to your recent story “When ‘save the whales’ isn’t a joke,” by Sabrina Manganella Simmons:
In the warm coastal waters of Brunswick, Georgia, a potentially life-saving step is being taken in the pivotal fight to save the endangered North Atlantic right whale. The North Atlantic right whale population world wide is now down to around 350 and the mammal’s numbers have been decimated in recent years by accidental collisions with large vessels.
The first step to avoiding these fatal collisions will be to pinpoint the locations of right whale pods. A team from Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology Bioacoustics Research, working with the local consultants from Environmental Services, Inc., have begun testing the effectiveness of acoustic recording devices off Brunswick, GA – in an area once called “The Bay of Right” because of the whales’ calving grounds just offshore.
Federal and State environmental agencies have been trying to initiate this kind of research for years, but funding has been limited. We have been able to provide a grant needed to work with Cornell and other scientists, allowing them to drop six acoustical buoys in these waters and launch this potentially life-saving study.
The Cornell study involves detecting the sounds of the right whales, developing a data base and comparing results with those achieved by the current “flyover” method. Although the flyover method has been helpful, its inherent limitations – flying in good weather and during the day only, and depending on visual sightings – curtail its usefulness to approximately 1/3 of the days in calving season.
Assuming the new study shows the clear benefits of the acoustic buoys, the data will be used to develop a more strategic deployment pattern for refined new buoys that allow for real-time transmission of locational information to boaters, marinas and government agencies to protect the whales -- the officially designated state marine mammal of Georgia.
North Atlantic right whales are an amazing part of Georgia’s natural beauty and heritage. We can do more than wring our hands about their imperiled future -- we can help and as someone who cares deeply about Brunswick’s distinctive environment, we are pleased to do so.
Gary Waxman
Principal, Liberty Harbor
Otis the equalizer
Editor,
On behalf of Georgia Equality and Savannah’s large, burgeoning gay and lesbian community, I extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mayor Otis Johnson and the entire city council for unanimously adopting the Equality Resolution which powerfully affirms Savannah’s genuine commitment to diversity, nondiscrimination, and equality.
It is quite inspiring for our progressive, visionary elected city leaders to continue to embrace Savannah’s proud, rich history in the civil rights movement and propel forward the fight for equality for ALL people.
We can rejoice that we are all one step closer to realizing our dream of living in sweet peace and joyful harmony as limbs of one sacred and spiritual body
Kevin L. Clark
Director
Georgia Equality Savannah
Knowledge is power
Editor,
Many people don’t realize the effect that domestic violence and/or sexual assault has on a woman and her family. She struggles to regain her life which was disrupted by the abuse and/or sexual assault. She can also suffer Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and require counseling.
Women can empower themselves through knowledge. Education is a powerful tool and support is beneficial to the victims. No one has really heard of (RTS) Rape Trauma Syndrome or (BWS) Battered Woman Syndrome. Only those who have experienced them can relate.
Elizabeth Jane Carter
Musical memories
Editor,
Congratulations on your appointment to the Cultural Affairs board. I know you’ll do a great job.
But honestly, darling, I never thought you’d go debutante/chic on me as your column about Jim Reed’s recent Music Festival interview displayed.
And, the choice of Johnny Mercer and Duke Ellington is perfect. Lo, those many years ago, Sandy Simon, who was an early developer in our historic area, gave a seventy-second birthday party for the Duke.
My pal Mercer was in town and a bunch of us poured into Sandy’s downtown house and listened to Duke play piano and spent an evening to remember. I was young and filled with dreams of Savannah moving forward in those days and it is wonderful seeing those dreams come true.
They don’t make nights like that anymore, but it was glorious.
Miriam Center
