Over the next seven years, the U.S. Navy estimates its ships will injure or kill just two whales in collisions as it tests and trains in Hawaiian waters. However, the report also estimates the readiness exercises — which include sonar testing and underwater explosions — will cause more than 3 million instances of disrupted behavior, hearing loss or injury to whale and dolphin species along with monk seals in Hawaii. Conservation groups are concerned the Navy is downplaying its impacts on endangered mammals. The Navy says it's “committed to the maximum level of mitigation measures” that it practically could to curb environmental damage while maintaining its military readiness. Federal fishery officials recently approved the training plan.
