n many regions, the US Navy plans to increase the number of its military exercises or expand the areas. Some exercises may 'TAKE' marine mammals. What do they mean? We quote the U.S. Department of Commerce - NOAA Definition: "TAKE" Defined under the MMPA as "harass, hunt, capture, kill or collect, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, kill or collect." Defined under the ESA as "to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct." In all, the Navy anticipates more than 2.3 million takes (significant disruptions in marine mammal foraging, breeding and other essential behaviors) per year or, 11.7 million takes over the course of a 5 year permit. Although these tests are done in the US, we must take into account the nature of the oceans, which are dynamic and interconnected by marine currents and weather; thus, effects in the medium and long terms also will fall on other nations and ecosystems throughout the world. For these reasons, we, the undersigned, demand that the Government of the United States take immediate actions to halt the expansion of these tests in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the "taking" of marine mammals. We also ask that NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Department of Commerce stop any attempt by the Navy to "take", maul, breaking damage or kill marine mammals in the Pacific Ocean, as they represent a major part in the world's biodiversity. For more information, please visit: www.californiaskywatch.com Please, we have to stop this. If the ocean dies, we do as well.