The U.S. government would rather you not, according to Digital Journal, worry your caring little head about the dead dolphins washing up in the Gulf of Mexico. So let’s just not talk about any of those scary little findings:
The dolphin die-off, labeled an “unusual mortality event (UME),” resulted in wildlife biologists being contracted by the National Marine Fisheries Service to record the recent spike in dolphin deaths by collecting tissue samples and specimens for the agency, but late last month were privately ordered to keep their results under wraps.
Reuters has obtained a copy of the agency letter that states, in part: “Because of the seriousness of the legal case, no data or findings may be released, presented or discussed outside the UME investigative team without prior approval.”
One biologist involved with tracking dolphin mortalities for over 20 years and speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Reuters that: “It throws accountability right out the window. We are confused and … we are angry because they claim they want teamwork, but at the same time they are leaving the marine experts out of the loop completely.”
Some scientists said they have received a personal rebuke from government officials about “speaking out of turn” to the media over attempts at determining the dolphins’ deaths.
In the administration’s defense, the dolphin die-offs are being investigated as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into what BP was doing out there when 11 oil workers were killed.
But still. That ain’t good science and it ain’t good policy.