US Navy can now harm marine mammals for seven years of Atlantic training

The US government has approved the Navy's request to harm marine mammals during training and testing activities in the Atlantic Ocean. This rule allows the Navy to continue its operations for seven years, from November 2025 to November 2032, even if it incidentally harms whales, dolphins, and other protected species.

The US Navy and Coast Guard now have a clear legal path to conduct military readiness activities in the Atlantic without facing legal challenges for incidental harm to marine mammals. This means environmental groups will have fewer avenues to block or delay these operations. The rule sets the terms for how the Navy must monitor and report these incidents, but it does not prevent them.