Fisheries Service to Protect Whales and Dolphins From Navy Sonar in Pacific Northwest

Centre for Biological Diversity, November 26th, 2013

Court Finds Major Flaws in Previous Protection Plan Threatening Thousands of Marine Mammals, Sets August 2014 Deadline

SAN FRANCISCO— The National Marine Fisheries Service has eight months to issue a new plan to protect thousands of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions from ocean noise and other threats generated by U.S. Navy warfare training exercises in waters ranging from Northern California to Canada.

The ruling by Magistrate Judge Nandor Vadas of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California today set a deadline of August 1, 2014, for the agency to ensure that the Navy’s training activities comply with the Endangered Species Act. Today’s decision stems from a September 2013 court ruling finding the Fisheries Service at fault for green-lighting Navy training based on incomplete and outdated science.

Last updated on 05 March 2014