Resource Management Issues: Military Activities

Overview of the issue
Military use of the MBNMS includes air, surface and underwater activity. Some activity includes the use of non-explosive ordinance, sonar, smoke markers and the temporary placement of objects for torpedo firing or sonar location training. Air activities include aircraft carrier takeoffs and landings, and low-level air combat maneuvering. The U.S. Navy uses these areas for submarine operations and minesweeping training exercises. On occasion, U.S. Marines practice amphibious landings on the beaches adjacent to this area. The military also conducts non-combat-related preparedness activities such as underwater cable repair and breakwater maintenance. Concerns regarding the military activity in the Sanctuary are primarily related to conflicts and disturbances with marine life or benthic habitat, and disturbance of seabird roosting areas from aircraft. Concerns have also arisen regarding military proposals to use underwater acoustic devices that could potentially interfere with marine mammal communications—this is addressed further under the section on Acoustic Impacts.

How is the Sanctuary involved?
Military activities that were specifically identified in the MBNMS designation document are exempt from Sanctuary regulations. For new activities, or activities which were not identified in the designation document, MBNMS requests modification or prohibition of the activities to minimize impacts to Sanctuary resources.