Europe’s largest military exercise underway in Scotland
Joint Warrior, Europe’s largest military exercise, is underway in Scotland. These are the largest multi-threat exercises conducted by the Royal Navy in UK waters and brings together warships, aircraft, marines and troops from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, British Army, NATO and allied forces.
Joint Warrior takes place off the west and north coast of Scotland for two weeks in the spring and autumn every year. This year’s autumn exercise runs from the 18th to 30th September.
HWDT have long-standing concerns about the impact that Joint Warrior exercises have on cetaceans and we question how Europe’s largest military exercises are allowed to take place within and near to protected areas specifically designated to protect Scottish cetaceans and known cetacean hot-spots.
Military sonar used during these operations produces an intense loud noise that can cause injury, death and mass-strandings of cetaceans as well as wide spread disturbance.
This year the Joint Warrior exercises have taken place later in the spring and earlier in the autumn than usual at times of year where HWDT’s long-term data show consistently higher sighting rates of several species, compared to when the exercises normally run. HWDT raised these concerns with the Ministry of Defence and Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies earlier in the year and we are disappointed that the activities have still gone ahead as planned. Read more here.
HOW YOU CAN HELP?
Between the 18th and 30th September, we ask you to be extra vigilant. If you do see any animals in distress, or behaving unusually, please contact British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) by calling their 24 hour Rescue Hotline on 01825 765546.
HWDT having been running monitoring surveys to coincide with the Joint Warrior exercises since 2009 to help understand the impact that these activities may have on cetaceans across the Hebrides. You can contribute to our long-term monitoring of these military exercises too by logging your excursions and reporting any sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoises or basking sharks through Whale Track.