Navy to Limit Some Training That Harms Whales in Pacific

The Navy has agreed to limit its use of sonar and other training that inadvertently harms whales, dolphins and other marine mammals off Hawaii and Southern California.

A federal judge in Honolulu on Monday signed a settlement between environmental groups, the military branch and the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Earthjustice attorney David Henkin says the settlement includes limits or bans on using mid-frequency active sonar and explosives in specified areas. But some of the training will continue.

He says sonar can cause deafness or death in marine mammals at a close distance. The Navy estimates it could inadvertently kill 155 whales and dolphins off Hawaii and Southern California, mostly from explosives.

Lt. Cmdr. Matt Knight, a U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman, said the settlement preserves key testing and training.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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