U.S. Navy sonar training controversy

The U.S. Navy’s recent application to increase the number of whale collisions allowed in Southern California and Hawaii waters from three to five has sparked strong opposition from environmental groups. There have been a number of ship collisions in the region, including the death of a mother and calf by an Australian Navy ship. Although the Navy claims to have taken measures such as lookouts and speed limits, environmentalists point out that sonar training and military activities continue to interfere with cetaceans’ navigation and communication, leading to aberrant behavior.2025 In January, a U.S. federal court granted the Navy permission to limit sonar testing in specific areas, but full protections have yet to be put in place.2026 The U.S. Navy has also increased the number of collisions with whales in the area from three to five, prompting opposition from environmental groups.