Oregon Public Broadcasting

The U-S Navy would intensify training exercises off the Oregon Coast, under plans being discussed Friday in Newport.

Bruce Mait is with Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center. He’s concerned that the increased use of munitions and technology could hurt marine life.

Mait is steering people to the one public meeting planned for Oregon during the Navy plan’s 30-day comment period.

Mait says the Navy wants to increase use of missiles, mines and loud sonar, in its exercises.

Bruce Mait: “Some of the activities, like sonar activities, with levels of 235 decibels, dramatically exceed what the National Marine Fisheries’ Service typically allows, say the seismic industry to expose marine mammals to, which is 160 db.” 

Mait says advocates of protecting marine mammals may at least want the Navy to provide more information about their plans, before finalizing them.

The Navy held three meetings in Washington state. There’s one more session in California, after Friday’s meeting in Newport.