Marine Animals

Cetacean Military Sonar Welfare

Military sonar exercises are associated with cetacean mass strandings and behavioural disruption, raising significant welfare concerns.

Key Facts

Mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS) causes mass strandings of beaked whales
Affected whales show atypical diving behaviour and gas bubble formation in tissues
The Canary Islands and Bahamas have experienced repeated sonar-linked strandings
International agreements have established some marine mammal protection zones
Sonar alternatives including passive sonar reduce but do not eliminate welfare impacts

Welfare Considerations

Cetaceans exposed to intense military sonar experience acute acoustic trauma, internal injuries, and behavioural disruption severe enough to cause beaching and death. The mechanism appears to involve panic-induced rapid ascent causing decompression-like injury. Welfare-conscious military operations require marine mammal watches, sonar power limits, and exclusion zones around known whale habitats.

What You Can Do

Support organisations monitoring and advocating against sonar harm
Advocate for international agreements protecting cetacean habitat from sonar
Donate to stranding response organisations in sonar-affected regions
Engage with government consultations on military sonar regulations
Support research into sonar alternatives that reduce cetacean harm