By Katie DeRosa, Canwest News ServiceAugust 23, 2009

VICTORIA — The federal government has granted an American research ship permission to conduct seismic blasts in a protected marine area off Vancouver Island, despite warnings from environmental groups that it will threaten endangered whales.

Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon gave the go-ahead Friday night for the government-owned RV Marcus Langseth to conduct blasts in the Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents Marine Protected Area, 250 kilometres southwest of Vancouver Island.

Ecojustice, acting for the Living Oceans Society and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, plans to argue the decision in Federal Court, claiming that the blasts violate Canadian environmental laws.

The ship set sail from Astoria, Ore. Saturday morning and the group fears blasts could begin as early as Monday.

“I’m very worried that blasting may start before there’s a chance to stop it,” said Sabine Jessen, national oceans manager for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.

The month-long research on the structure of the ocean floor in the Endeavour section of the Juan de Fuca Ridge includes soundings of 180 decibels — louder than a jet engine — every two or three minutes. It is being led by the department of geological sciences at the University of Oregon.

The Living Oceans Society has said the noise poses threats, such as hearing loss and behavioural disturbances to endangered blue whales — which recently started returning to the area — threatened fin whales and other marine species.

The two sides will appear in court Tuesday and Ecojustice hopes the government’s decision is reversed.

Ecojustice plans to argue that the government cannot give permission for a foreign vessel to harass marine mammals in violation of Canadian law.

Endeavour was established in 2003, the first Canadian marine protected area. At the time, a Department of Fisheries and Oceans news release said Endeavour is home to 12 species of marine life unique to the area.

Victoria Times Colonist