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The global proliferation of advanced, ultra-quiet diesel electric submarines has prompted a number of responses around the globe, from initial-stage efforts to mimic a shark’s senses in the USA, to the most obvious route of using more powerful active sonars. In Western countries, concerns have been expressed that these sonars may disorient or scare marine mammals, leading to decompression sickness or disruption of their biological sonar navigation systems. This has led to (unsuccessful) lawsuits aimed at curtailing submarine exercises by Western navies.

In December 2007, USN Rear Adm. Lawrence S. Rice, director of Naval Operations Environmental Readiness, discussed some of the measures that are being taken to investigate the issue, and also mitigate any possible effects. In January, a court battle erupted over undersea training off the coast of San Diego, CA, throwing the issue back into the limelight….

Sonar, or Nature?

Rear Adm. Rice claims that sonar is implicated as a contributor to 50 strandings over 10 years, or 5 per year on average, vs. an average of 3,600 standings per year due to natural causes, and about 600,000 per year linked to the commercial fishing industry (!).

Over the past couple of years, the Navy spent between $10-14 million per year on research by universities and nonprofit organizations into the locations and abundance of marine mammals, physiological and behavioral effects of sonar, and protective tools the Navy can use to manage its impact. Rear Adm. Rice notes that the navy currently funds ”...about 50% of marine mammal research worldwide,” and that funding is scheduled to rise to $18 million annually over the next 5 years.

The US Navy is also employing 29 new mitigation measures during sonar exercises, designed to lessen any potential impacts. These efforts have reportedly been successful in their goal, and have just been shared with NATO; a move is afoot to incorporate them into a NATO planning document. These measures include, among other things, stationing specially trained lookouts to look for marine mammals, passive acoustic monitoring for marine mammals, establishing safety zones around ships where sonar power is reduced or shut down if marine mammals are sighted, and employing extra precautions during chokepoint exercises.

Vid. Dec 2007 article: “Navy Invests in Protecting Marine Mammals.”

UPDATES:

Jan 15/08: President Bush signs an exemption from the requirements of the Coastal Zone Management Act for the Navy’s continued use of mid-frequency active sonar in a series of exercises scheduled to take place off the coast of California through January 2009, on the grounds that continuing these vital exercises without the restrictions imposed by the district court is in the paramount interests of the United States. The US Navy’s 29 mitigation measures approved by federal environmental regulators when using active sonar will remain in place.

In separate but related actions, the Council on Environmental Quality approves the Navy’s request for alternative arrangements for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for these exercises until the completion of the Southern California Range Complex environmental impact statement. They include adaptive management measures, more thorough reporting procedures, and increased public participation. Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter signs the decision memorandum agreeing to these arrangements.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, quoted in a US Navy story:

“We cannot in good conscience send American men and women into potential trouble spots without adequate training to defend themselves…. The southern California operating area provides unique training opportunities that are vital to preparing our forces, and the planned exercises cannot be postponed without impacting national security. The steps that have been taken will allow our men and women to train realistically, while continuing the effective employment of proven mitigation measures that have been endorsed by the Council on Environmental Quality and our regulator, the National Marine Fisheries Service.”

Jan 3/08: An order is issued on by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, restricting US Navy sonar training in the Navy’s operating area off the coast of San Diego. Approximately half the US Navy’s fleet receives its most critical, “graduate level” training in this location before it deploys its forces around the world.

Additional Readings

• TNO – SAKAMATA: sonar and marine mammals. The Dutch military engineering and consulting firm has developed software that knows what marine mammals are found in an area, and reportedly helps plan a ramp up curve that allows marine mammals to move away before the sonar gets too loud.