US Navy Limits Use of Whale-Harming Sonar

An anonymous reader writes: The U.S. Navy has agreed to new limits on its use of sonar and explosives in certain areas of the Pacific. Sonar is known to be capable of disrupting communication between whales and other sea life. There have also been incidents in the past where explosives have killed dolphins that got too close to a training exercise. A Navy spokesperson said, "Recognizing our environmental responsibilities, the Navy has been, and will continue to be, good environmental stewards as we prepare for and conduct missions in support of our national security." The new agreement (PDF) also requires quick reviews of the Navy's activities if there are marine-life deaths in the future.

Re:

[phantomfive]

It might as well say, "Judge compels Navy to stop using whale-harming sonar," because it was the result of a lawsuit that the Navy made this change. My understanding is that not every type of sonar is damaging to whales, just some types.

This change has been coming for several years now, it's not really a surprise.

Re:

[Noah Haders]

"When I'm president, we're going to have the biggest, best navy in the world, and it won't kowtow to losers like activist judges, dolphins, and whales."

-Donald Trump

Re:

[justthinkit]

My understanding is that not every type of sonar is damaging to whales, just some types.

I have never heard about "types" of navy sonar. All I am aware of is that the navy has jacked up the volume of their sonar to catch those stealthy Russian subs that don't exist any more.

As this page [nrdc.org] explains, they use ultra LOUD sonar. 235 decibels...with every 10 dB being ten times louder...and 120dB being a jet taking off. Let's say a trillion times as much sound energy (per area) as a jet taking off. Yeah, that

Re:

[NicknameUnavailable]

Maybe they have finally completed mapping every inch of the sea floor, and they want others to stop.

It's clearly an effort to conceal an underwater base created by the aliens running the Illuminati.

Re:

[NicknameUnavailable]

Your alien overlords keep you just as in the dark as you keep the general population.

Re:

[meadow]

After decades of inflicting massive harm upon sentient marine life, now in 2015 they say they are going to limit it and have the audacity to make it seem like they're being environmentally responsible. Totally disgusting.

Re:

[vandelais]

They're mammals.

in "certain areas of the Pacific"

[turkeydance]

Whale real estate values just went up

Re:

[tnk1]

The Navy is a big organization made up of a fairly diverse set of military and civilian types. While nothing specific is stopping the Navy from continuing to test it, chances are, someone would report that and heads would eventually roll. They could try and classify it, but once it is known to be illegal, any order to cover up such a test would be an illegal order and no member of the military would be bound to comply with it.

And chances are good, the figured out a way to test it in another manner.

Fear no

Obligatory Dilbert reference

[Nutria]

http://dilbert.com/strip/1989-11-17 [dilbert.com]
All mammals have hair.
Whales are mammals.
Therefore, whales have hair.
Shave the whales!

Re:

[NicknameUnavailable]

I'm not an expert when it comes to whales, but I think they only have "hair" (as opposed to fur) on their buttholes.

Actually ...

[PPH]

... the navy probably figured out that several kilowatts of sonar was just a great beacon for enemy anti ship weapons.

Re:Actually ...

[cyn1c77]

Pretty much this. I've been confused as to why this was an issue ever since it was. The navy *HATES* to go active on sonar, as it instantly gives away your position at a distance far longer than you'll get any information back. Active sonar is reserved for localizing a target that's close-in immediately before firing a torpedo, and often not even then. They also have a special high-frequency sonar specifically for under-ice operations. But for general searching in the open ocean? It's all passive. (My dad was a sonar guy almost his entire 20; starting out in GUPPYs all the way up through 688s.)

If you read the article, (I know, I know...) you would have learned that the Navy uses active sonar and explosives during training exercises to practice combat tactics.

(You probably could have also figured this out yourself since you appear to be a pro at sonar.)

So yes, you would use passive detection techniques hunting another sub, and then switch to active sonar just before firing a simulated torpedo at a simulated target. This is why they are only limiting their use near Hawaii and the US coast... because we generally don't do a lot of sub attacks in that region. However, when the Navy is training, they generally like to do it in a safe area that will not alarm other countries and where they can respond to accidents quickly... which is why they were doing it near the US coast.

Re:

[PPH]

"One ping only, please."

Re:

[GameboyRMH]

The agreement here is not just about SONAR but also about:
    pp 7 - Not ramming whales head on during training exercises

This raises so many questions. Were they doing this before? Why? Is slamming into the sides of whales still allowed?

terrible idea

[lastlivingsoul]

if we appease the whales after one attacks a kayaker, we are inviting more kayak attacks