Navy Seals conducts bombing exercises at FDM
The US Navy Seal Unit will be conducting live fire exercise on the island of Farallon De Mendenilla today until Thursday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.., according to the Emergency Management Office.
EMO warned all fishermen, tour operators and commercial pilots to stay clear of the training area from surface to 4,000 feet sea level on a 10 nautical mile radius on all quadrants.
Amid concerns on the impact of the US Navy bombing exercises in Farallon de Medinilla, the Division of Fish and Wildlife had recommended the cessation or reduction in bombing certain parts of the island to allow the extensive coral growth in the area.
However, the DFW believes that stopping the bombing in FDM would probably not contribute significantly to the enrichment of marine life already existing on the island.
The conclusions were contained in a report submitted by Division of Fish and Wildlife biologist Michael S. Trianni on September 1, 1998 on the qualitative survey of the nearshore habitat of FDM.
Trianni joined the team that conducted the marine survey from July 8-10, 1997 which include the marine biologist contracted to the Navy, representatives from the National Marine Fisheries Service and United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Since then, no marine life assessment in FDM has so far been conducted again.
No reef fishery exists at FDM, although the survey conducted showed evidence of nearshore bottomfishing. Due to the large population of sharks in the waters surrounding FDM, local fishermen avoid spear fishing in the area, the report said.
As expected, the survey revealed that the sheltered side of the island was found rich in animal life. “It was noted that certain nearshore areas contained considerable amounts of suspended sediments, usually coincident with eroding cliff lines,” the report said.
It was also on this side of the island that bombings have greater impact on the nearshore fringing reef community. However, since FDM is a very narrow island measuring only one-and-a-half miles long, the entire fringing reef community will still be exposed to natural physical forces such as typhoons.
