U.S. Navy officials rejected the California Coastal Commission’s suggestions to limit the Navy’s sonar usage off the coast of California in an effort to protect marine life, the Associated Press reported. The rejection comes a few months after the commission rejected a proposal by the Navy regarding its sonar usage.
In March, the U.S. Navy proposed to up its sonar usage and conduct more underwater explosives training off the California coast, which was rejected by the Coastal Commission.
Commissioners feared the increased uses would adversely affect whales and other ocean life in the Pacific Ocean, the Los Angeles Times reported. After the Coastal Commission’s rejection of the Navy’s plan, they recently provided the Navy with suggestions on limiting sonar training, which were rejected by the Navy in a July 31 letter.
The commission reportedly suggested that the Navy create safety zones that would prohibit sonar activity near marine sanctuaries. The Navy says it has already been testing in the area without doing major harm to the marine life.
The Navy already conducts testing in at least 120,000 square nautical miles off the coast and the Commission’s rejection of increased training does not affect current training programs.
Navy officials and Coastal Commission staff plan to continue working together toward a compromise.