Our chapter, with other environmental groups has retained the Earth Justice Foundation to sue the Navy to stop or at least alter their active sonar program. Active sonar is sound blasting the ocean to find submarines. It is different than passive sonar which is just listening. Mid frequency and low frequency sonar can disorient marine mammals because they use their ears to navigate. Whales have been found dead in areas where the Navy does their sound blasting. Autopsies have shown that their eardrums have been ruptured. This technology was developed, partially, at the Naval Base here and is tested regularly in the Navy’s local practice sessions during whale season. Our suit is intended to force the Navy to make alterations in their sonar use. Satellite technology may be a far more effective way to find “enemy” submarines that might attack the U.S. Navy. So far these threats come from Brazil, North Korea and Iran. Many feel that these countries wouldn’t dare attack the largest Navy in the world, but the Navy, while admitting the whales will be harmed, says this technology is critical. We are very honored to have Earth Justice as our attornies.

Surfrider Sues the U.S. Navy