Wildlife

Welfare of Marine Mammals in Naval Sonar Operations

High-intensity naval sonar exercises have been linked to mass strandings of beaked whales and other marine mammals, causing injury, disorientation, and death.

Key Facts

Mid-frequency active sonar has been implicated in multiple beaked whale mass strandings
Whales appear to strand from decompression sickness after fleeing sonar rapidly
The US Navy has implemented mitigation measures in sensitive areas after legal challenges
Marine protected areas provide insufficient protection from mobile naval exercises
Some whales travel hundreds of miles to escape sonar operations

Welfare Considerations

Naval sonar causes acute welfare harm to marine mammals that is difficult to document because deaths occur at depth. Mass strandings represent the visible tip of an injury iceberg. International treaties and military operating guidelines need stronger welfare protections.

What You Can Do

Support natural resources defense council and other organizations litigating sonar welfare cases
Advocate for expanded marine protected areas with sonar restrictions
Support research into sonar impact monitoring and mitigation technology
Engage with naval policy discussions about marine mammal protection requirements