Poor Pilot Whales

New Avon Arms
geoshot

geoshot

Well-Known Member
Supporter
It was a pity to see the news of another mass stranding of Pilot Whales in the Orkneys, there was a smaller but still significant one last year too.
As my daughter is finishing her degree in marine biology, and one of her core modules is marine mammal studies, I asked her about possible causes
Straight away she replied "oil & gas seismic surveys are the number one possible cause"
Well, as a former oil & gas geologist I had heard that line before
So, I looked into it myself by checking the NSTA website and other info sources which typically list, monitor or discuss such activities but found nothing
In fact the latest large scale O&G seismic survey I could find that had been conducted in that area was concluded in 2016. Most other surveys being more localised close to already operational facilities much further to the north
On the bbc site the commentator suggests that the whales could have been "panicked by killer whales" - which is of course possible
As far as I could easily see, just two newspapers (Times & DM) carried the story and mentioned a large scale seismic survey & seabed coring study having been carried out in the area in connection with an offshore wind farm
So, I checked that story out too
And yes, a very large seismic survey was indeed carried out for a "huge offshore wind farm project" with the bulk of the work planned to conclude last year
But, as is typical for such things, it had to be completed this year due to bad weather delaying and/or postponing parts of the work last year - very believable in that part of the NE Atlantic
I remember from my time in the oil industry how the media, activists, politicians etc were all over seismic surveys related to hydrocarbons - there was even a poster of a dolphin below a derrick with a drill hitting it's head and blood spouting from the derrick a la "gusher", a crude/cheap shot, but effective and imaginative I have to admit no matter how false or hyperbolic
But I have to ask, why the reticence to blame a "green project"? Why aren't the seismic and coring surveys for offshore wind farms being cited as "whale killers"? Why are the poor old Orcas being blamed instead?
I asked my daughter about the wind farm related seismic operations and IF they could possibly have contributed to the unfortunate events
Her reply? "Come on dad, you of all people ought to know that they'll never say that"
I was gobsmacked! It couldn't be that the media etc "report" according to an agenda, could it?
 
geoshot said:
It was a pity to see the news of another mass stranding of Pilot Whales in the Orkneys, there was a smaller but still significant one last year too.
As my daughter is finishing her degree in marine biology, and one of her core modules is marine mammal studies, I asked her about possible causes
Straight away she replied "oil & gas seismic surveys are the number one possible cause"
Well, as a former oil & gas geologist I had heard that line before
So, I looked into it myself by checking the NSTA website and other info sources which typically list, monitor or discuss such activities but found nothing
In fact the latest large scale O&G seismic survey I could find that had been conducted in that area was concluded in 2016. Most other surveys being more localised close to already operational facilities much further to the north
On the bbc site the commentator suggests that the whales could have been "panicked by killer whales" - which is of course possible
As far as I could easily see, just two newspapers (Times & DM) carried the story and mentioned a large scale seismic survey & seabed coring study having been carried out in the area in connection with an offshore wind farm
So, I checked that story out too
And yes, a very large seismic survey was indeed carried out for a "huge offshore wind farm project" with the bulk of the work planned to conclude last year
But, as is typical for such things, it had to be completed this year due to bad weather delaying and/or postponing parts of the work last year - very believable in that part of the NE Atlantic
I remember from my time in the oil industry how the media, activists, politicians etc were all over seismic surveys related to hydrocarbons - there was even a poster of a dolphin below a derrick with a drill hitting it's head and blood spouting from the derrick a la "gusher", a crude/cheap shot, but effective and imaginative I have to admit no matter how false or hyperbolic
But I have to ask, why the reticence to blame a "green project"? Why aren't the seismic and coring surveys for offshore wind farms being cited as "whale killers"? Why are the poor old Orcas being blamed instead?
I asked my daughter about the wind farm related seismic operations and IF they could possibly have contributed to the unfortunate events
Her reply? "Come on dad, you of all people ought to know that they'll never say that"
I was gobsmacked! It couldn't be that the media etc "report" according to an agenda, could it?
Click to expand...
Does your last question at the end really need asking in this day and age? I’m not in the least bit surprised personally
 
geoshot said:
It was a pity to see the news of another mass stranding of Pilot Whales in the Orkneys, there was a smaller but still significant one last year too.
As my daughter is finishing her degree in marine biology, and one of her core modules is marine mammal studies, I asked her about possible causes
Straight away she replied "oil & gas seismic surveys are the number one possible cause"
Well, as a former oil & gas geologist I had heard that line before
So, I looked into it myself by checking the NSTA website and other info sources which typically list, monitor or discuss such activities but found nothing
In fact the latest large scale O&G seismic survey I could find that had been conducted in that area was concluded in 2016. Most other surveys being more localised close to already operational facilities much further to the north
On the bbc site the commentator suggests that the whales could have been "panicked by killer whales" - which is of course possible
As far as I could easily see, just two newspapers (Times & DM) carried the story and mentioned a large scale seismic survey & seabed coring study having been carried out in the area in connection with an offshore wind farm
So, I checked that story out too
And yes, a very large seismic survey was indeed carried out for a "huge offshore wind farm project" with the bulk of the work planned to conclude last year
But, as is typical for such things, it had to be completed this year due to bad weather delaying and/or postponing parts of the work last year - very believable in that part of the NE Atlantic
I remember from my time in the oil industry how the media, activists, politicians etc were all over seismic surveys related to hydrocarbons - there was even a poster of a dolphin below a derrick with a drill hitting it's head and blood spouting from the derrick a la "gusher", a crude/cheap shot, but effective and imaginative I have to admit no matter how false or hyperbolic
But I have to ask, why the reticence to blame a "green project"? Why aren't the seismic and coring surveys for offshore wind farms being cited as "whale killers"? Why are the poor old Orcas being blamed instead?
I asked my daughter about the wind farm related seismic operations and IF they could possibly have contributed to the unfortunate events
Her reply? "Come on dad, you of all people ought to know that they'll never say that"
I was gobsmacked! It couldn't be that the media etc "report" according to an agenda, could it?
Click to expand...

She respectfully might wish to consider the weakening magnetosphere too, which is declining at an increasing rate.
European Space Agency’s SWARM programme would be worth a call to confirm.
The alteration/decline of magnetic field strength has been going on since the last century, but is increasing its rate of decline.

It’s not only pigeons who find their way around the planet by means of magnetic field. Even us humans have been obliged to recalculate bearings etc owing to the rate of changing position of the magnetic pole, which is an associated factor in the decline in strength.
riskfrontiers.com

Risks of weakening of the Earth’s magnetic field - Risk Frontiers

Looking at the weakening of the Earth’s magnetic field protects life from cosmic rays and understanding the impact.
riskfrontiers.com riskfrontiers.com

It isn’t a ‘new’ phenomenon (magnetosphere decline), just as mass cetacean strandings ain’t new, they happened before the oil, and the wind farms. Oh, and the only ‘green’ things about the wind energy and associated climate emergency justification are 1) the money, and 2) the gullibility of the wider public in believing the nonsense they are fed daily by MSM about it.

 
Last edited:
Freeforester said:
She respectfully might wish to consider the weakening magnetosphere too, which is declining at an increasing rate.
European Space Agency’s SWARM programme would be worth a call to confirm.
The alteration/decline of magnetic field strength has been going on since the last century, but is increasing its rate of decline.

It’s not only pigeons who find their way around the planet by means of magnetic field. Even us humans have been obliged to recalculate bearings etc owing to the rate of changing position of the magnetic pole, which is an associated factor in the decline in strength.
riskfrontiers.com

Risks of weakening of the Earth’s magnetic field - Risk Frontiers

Looking at the weakening of the Earth’s magnetic field protects life from cosmic rays and understanding the impact.
riskfrontiers.com riskfrontiers.com

It isn’t a ‘new’ phenomenon (magnetosphere decline), just as mass cetacean strandings ain’t new, they happened before the oil, and the wind farms. Oh, and the only ‘green’ things about the wind energy and associated climate emergency justification are 1) the money, and 2) the gullibility of the wider public in believing the nonsense they are fed daily by MSM about it.

Click to expand...


Evidence suggests strandings are on the increase. More than one study identifies noise as being a major causation. For example:

 
Last year two dolphins got into the great ouse/ old or new bedford. Luckily the environment agency stopped them suffering. Harresed them in a reed bed till they both died.
Some times animals die and we shouldnt be suprised or intervene. Media loves a story. I hope the op's daughters degree was worth the money
 
a few titbits

There are indications of Sperm Whale strandings as early as 14,000 years ago in southern Spain. The earliest recorded large stranding (according to Wikipedia) was in 1897 in the Falkland Islands.27 July 2023

New Zealand is a hotspot for marine mammal strandings. Since 1840, more than 5,000 strandings of whales and dolphins have been recorded around the New Zealand coast. Strandings occur all year round and usually involve just one or two animals.

check these links and yes the anti everything mob will blame some new technology whether sub sonar, oil/seismic noise etc but they were definitely not around in the years as documented below.

www.newscientist.com

Whale graveyard reveals most ancient mass strandings

The oldest and greatest graveyard of extinct marine mammals now sits under a highway in South America – but researchers got access first
www.newscientist.com www.newscientist.com

www.nhm.ac.uk

Historic whale and dolphin stranding data made public for the first time

It's one of the oldest datasets of its kind.
www.nhm.ac.uk www.nhm.ac.uk
 
stalker.308 said:
Gosh, imagine if lecturers at universities pedalled their own (non scientifically backed) agendas to thousands of students every year…..
Click to expand...
Comments such as yours are really quite surprising to read. The broad brush you use to discredit unis underlines a poor understanding of just what research comes from them. Great shame.
 
Martiniblack577 said:
Comments such as yours are really quite surprising to read. The broad brush you use to discredit unis underlines a poor understanding of just what research comes from them. Great shame.
Click to expand...
I speak from a place of understanding (and realism) and as a person who has massively benefited from studying at two universities.

I didn’t say every lecturer, I said ‘if lecturers’.

Perhaps my comment ‘non scientifically backed’ was harsh but I’ve seen it first hand. To put it into context on this, a shooting, forum- if you meet an avid anti shooting person, there is no amount of scientific literature that will convince them that hunting can be positive- they just don’t like it.

In academia and research, you need sponsors to run with projects- again to put into context, if you are anti shooting, you will not accept research grants from the professional hunters association of South Africa to write a paper on the positive effects of hunting on endangered species etc. So when hearing opinions from students, who only have the opinion of a handful of lecturers, to put them into context you really do need to know who is funding their research.

Everyone has a natural standpoint on issues but money does talk when you are under pressure to publish papers.
 
So…Stalker.308…..

You are utilising a considered observation from a person who isn’t here to elaborate on her understanding/research to create a platform on a subject you are passionate about.

Then, when assessing your own presented views to the forum - you openly state were gained first hand. Therefore, these are categorised as ‘expert’ which is the lowest form of reliable evidence. Remember the hierarchy of evidence tree? To remind you:

Hierarchy of evidence

Original Editors -Andeela Hafeez
www.physio-pedia.com www.physio-pedia.com

Finally your broad brush comment that academia and research only happens selectively can really be dismissed before it leaves the trap. As you know ‘first hand’, every worthwhile research paper published has a section where conflicting interests are stated eg:


Compare the above with the paper below: no statement of conflicting interests but the acknowledgement section reads very interesting!! :

www.sciencedirect.com

The economic impact of trophy hunting in the south African wildlife industry

The aim of this research was to determine the economic impact of trophy hunting in the wildlife industry of South Africa. The link to the questionnair…
www.sciencedirect.com www.sciencedirect.com

The above papers I’ve found in 15 minutes suggesting broader assessment by you would be welcome.

And (!) I am surprised you failed to mention systematic reviews, what they are and where they sit on the hierarchy of evidence. If you decide to look for systematic reviews on your chosen topic, they do exists, for example:


It’s worth reading.
 
AGR said:
That was an interesting read, thanks for posting it!
Click to expand...
You’re welcome!

A visualisation (below) of ‘where we are’ presently in terms of rate of weakening; the extended line beyond present suggests the likely trend in the event of the weakening following an exponential trajectory (worst case scenario); some suggest it may well stabilise, or even reverse, others aren’t convinced, and none of us know for certain, we can only guess. ESA SWARM programme monitors this, but tend not to publicise their findings too regularly.

IMG_1960.jpeg
As for pole shift, this is not so easily obfuscated, as pilots depend largely on their instruments for navigation, and updates have been made more frequently due to the magnetic shift ongoing, with also an increase in rate of shift (kilometres per year). A brief explanation of sorts:



As for the cosmic rays mentioned, these already interact in ways that are also somewhat ‘inconvenient’ for those intent on ascribing climate change to man-made carbon dioxide (frankly preposterous, and without substance at the levels and volumes currently found and for the foreseeable future): (stick with this one, the weight of evidence is remarkable)


And a short explanation of sorts as to why carbon dioxide cannot unduly adversely influence climate, put simply, the laws of thermodynamics are somewhat at odds with the IPCC’s ‘findings’:
(Stick with it at 3-5mins, 7mins and 10mins in)



and why it cannot fufil the role demanded of it by the IPCC:
(It’s all but over within the first 2 minutes)
 
Sad as it is, my primary concern would be minimising suffering, so euthanase the remaining members ASAP as soon as the option of returning to the water is rejected.
Unfortunately alot of modern wildlife rescues these days have a Disneyesque character to it, added to the social media presence of look how good/ kind we are, give us your cash......
 
Freeforester said:
You’re welcome!

A visualisation (below) of ‘where we are’ presently in terms of rate of weakening; the extended line beyond present suggests the likely trend in the event of the weakening following an exponential trajectory (worst case scenario); some suggest it may well stabilise, or even reverse, others aren’t convinced, and none of us know for certain, we can only guess. ESA SWARM programme monitors this, but tend not to publicise their findings too regularly.

View attachment 374669
As for pole shift, this is not so easily obfuscated, as pilots depend largely on their instruments for navigation, and updates have been made more frequently due to the magnetic shift ongoing, with also an increase in rate of shift (kilometres per year). A brief explanation of sorts:



As for the cosmic rays mentioned, these already interact in ways that are also somewhat ‘inconvenient’ for those intent on ascribing climate change to man-made carbon dioxide (frankly preposterous, and without substance at the levels and volumes currently found and for the foreseeable future): (stick with this one, the weight of evidence is remarkable)


And a short explanation of sorts as to why carbon dioxide cannot unduly adversely influence climate, put simply, the laws of thermodynamics are somewhat at odds with the IPCC’s ‘findings’:
(Stick with it at 3-5mins, 7mins and 10mins in)



and why it cannot fufil the role demanded of it by the IPCC:
(It’s all but over within the first 2 minutes)
Click to expand...

Henrik the hypothesis man has been batted out of the park for over a decade now for his statements. Just one example below:

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Collection of Roe skulls to sell - help needed
Replies
4
Views
315
@theroedeerguy
@theroedeerguy
bull breed again.
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
dogman56
D
they live among us.
Replies
0
Views
245
John Gryphon
John Gryphon
The hardest goodbye,again.
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
sako751sg
sako751sg
A rough one
Replies
4
Views
205
John Gryphon
John Gryphon
Browning X Bolt 2 Cashback
Back
Top