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AirTalk

Noise pollution’s impact on whales

A humpback whale jumps out of the water in the western Antarctic peninsula, on March 05, 2016.
A humpback whale jumps out of the water in the western Antarctic peninsula, on March 05, 2016.
(
EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/Getty Images
)
Listen 12:53
Noise pollution’s impact on whales

Whales see the ocean through sound, so a new documentary from the Natural Resources Defense Council immerses you in the underwater world, now polluted with industrial and military man-made noises that have impacted marine mammals' survival.

In 'Sonic Sea' airing on Discovery May 19th and narrated by Rachel McAdams, using beautiful cinematography, audio recordings, and sleek graphics, the documentary tracks deaths and distress of marine mammals, including some whales more than 150-years old who never knew man-made sounds before the 20th Century.

The NRDC has litigated and lobbied for limits on industrial developments and shipping adjustments near habitats and migration routes. For more background on litigation, check out this stories:

"Navy to limit Some training that harms whales in Pacific"

"AirTalk: Can the Navy train in SoCal waters without harming whales?"

Guest:

Michael Jasny, Director, Marine Mammal Protection Project, Natural Resources Defense Council; Jasny is a leading expert in the law and policy of ocean noise pollution.