Marine Life

Military Sonar and Cetacean Welfare

High-intensity military sonar has been linked to mass whale strandings globally, causing disorientation, decompression injuries, and death. The welfare and conservation case for restrictions is strong.

Key Facts

Mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS) used by navies can be detected by cetaceans hundreds of kilometers away
Mass strandings of beaked whales have been correlated with nearby naval exercises in multiple documented cases
Sonar causes whales to surface rapidly, leading to gas bubble emboli (nitrogen narcosis)
US Navy has agreed to some restrictions but global naval sonar use remains largely unrestricted
The Bahamas 2000 stranding linked directly to US Naval exercise was a landmark case

Welfare Considerations

Sonar-induced strandings cause panic, disorientation, internal hemorrhaging, and death. Stranded whales may suffer for hours before dying or being euthanized. The behavior of beaked whales diving to extreme depths to escape sonar suggests acute fear response. Restrictions on sonar use in known cetacean habitat would prevent many of these events.

What You Can Do

Support Ocean Alliance and Natural Resources Defense Council sonar litigation
Advocate for international agreements restricting naval sonar in critical cetacean habitat
Donate to stranding response networks that respond to mass strandings
Engage with your government's defense ministry about cetacean sonar impact policies