High-intensity military sonar has been linked to whale strandings, behavioural disruption and hearing damage in marine mammals, raising significant welfare and conservation concerns.
The welfare implications of military sonar extend from acute mortality in stranding events to chronic disruption of foraging, communication and social behaviour across vast ocean areas. Stranded whales show internal haemorrhage and gas embolism consistent with rapid ascent following intense acoustic disturbance. Even non-lethal effects including behavioural avoidance of foraging areas and disrupted mother-calf communication represent significant welfare costs to individuals. Balancing defence requirements with wildlife welfare obligations requires genuine acoustic impact assessment, mitigation protocols and willingness to restrict exercises in critical habitat areas.