Navy Applies to NMFS for SOCAL Sonar Takes
On April 17, 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service announced that the U.S. navy requested that NMFS authorize the Navy to take marine mammals in the Southern California Range Complex during the period beginning January 2008 and ending January 2014. The Navy's take request is filed with NMFS pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

If NMFS grants the request, then the Navy would be authorized to take individuals of 24 marine mammal species by Level B harassment from mid- and high- frequency Navy sonar operations off the coast of Southern California. In addition, the Navy requests authorization to take 10 beaked whales by serious injury or death from sonar.

NMFS requests that comments and information regarding the Navy's request be sent to NMFS by May 19, 2008. NMFS will probably provide another opportunity for public comment when NMFS proposes specific action on the Navy's request.

The effects of Navy sonar on marine mammals is a controversial issue, and NMFS sonar Take authorizations are often litigated.