The Supreme Court of Justice has recently made a decision to lift two restrictions imposed to how the Navy uses sonar equipment in training exercises. The decision is extremely controversial as the two safety measures were especially created in order to protect a decreasing population of whales.

The sonar is used by the Navy to detect extremely quiet submarines and the training exercises take place off the California coast. It is known that the sound emitted by the sonar is very disturbing to marine creatures, especially whales. The Navy insisted that a proper, realistic training exercise is crucial for defensive purposes and that any restrictions would make the routines very unrealistic.

The two safety measures that were lifted were that the Navy should not use the sonar if any whales were spotted in a 2, 200 yards radius and that the sonar should be powered down during rare sea conditions. Environmentalists say that there is no reason why the Navy couldn’t perform proper training exercises under these two restrictions and are afraid that the underwater mammals will suffer as a result of this decision.

The Navy replied that realistic training is of utmost importance for the country and that there is no documentation of any whales being hurt in these type of exercises. The Navy also suggested that exercises could potentially hurt approximately 436 injuries to a population of whales that is living in that area.

Environmental issues are very important as our planet is already starting to show signs of abnormal meteorological patterns and, after all, we depend of this planet in order to keep existing. If defending it is not of outmost importance, then what is?