Marine Mammals in Sonar Exercises

Military sonar exercises cause mass strandings and behavioral disruption in whales and dolphins, a significant but underregulated welfare concern.

Key Facts

Mid-frequency active sonar has been linked to mass stranding events in beaked whales since the 1990s
Beaked whales strand after sonar exercises showing decompression-like injuries from rapid surfacing
The US Navy is required to monitor for marine mammals but can override protections for training needs
Behavioral displacement from sonar includes disrupted feeding and communication over hundreds of kilometers
International whaling commission working groups have repeatedly called for sonar restrictions in whale habitats

Welfare Considerations

Sonar-induced stranding causes acute welfare harms including nitrogen narcosis, decompression injury, and disorientation preceding death. The animals most affected — beaked whales — are deep-diving specialists poorly studied and particularly vulnerable. Welfare considerations have been systematically subordinated to military training requirements with inadequate regulatory oversight.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for time-area sonar restrictions in areas of high beaked whale density
Advocate for independent monitoring of military sonar exercises for marine mammal impacts
Contact defense ministry representatives about the availability of sonar mitigation technologies