Scientists believe that beaked whales have fallen victim to sonar.

Whales will be able to swim more soundly through Southern California waters thanks to a federal judge's ruling last week on the Navy's use of mid-frequency sonar in the Pacific region.

The Jan. 3 decision bars the Navy from using mid-frequency sonar within 12 nautical miles of the California coast, expands the "shut-down'" zone—an area in which sonar must be turned off in the presence of marine mammals—from 1,100 yards to 2,200 yards and forbids sonar use in the Catalina Basin, among other restrictions.

"The Humane Society of the United States has been saying this for years: Our national security must not and need not degrade the environment," said Dr. Naomi Rose, The HSUS' marine mammal scientist.

Marine mammals rely on sound to communicate with one another, avoid predators and find food, which is why sonar can chronically interfere with their survival. Mid-frequency sonar has serious acute impacts as well—it has been implicated in the strandings and deaths of beaked whales and other deep-diving whales and dolphins. It can also cause the animals to suffer debilitating injuries, including hearing loss.

The HSUS has been a leader in the fight to control ocean noise pollution. Our efforts have reached Capitol Hill, regulatory agencies and the United Nations. Noise pollution and marine mammals do not recognize national boundaries, so The HSUS will continue to work toward international solutions.