A beaked whale flounders in distress off the coast of the Bahamas. Within hours, 15 more mammals are beached along the same coastline. Marine biologists proved that the US Navy's high intensity sonar had severely damaged the mammals' brains and ears, causing them to beach themselves. They were able to obtain a temporary injunction preventing the Navy from using this sonar system. However, the Pentagon recently mounted a campaign to gain military exemption from all environmental controls. If they gain this, environmental attorney Joel Reynolds fears that: "This system would harass and injure thousands and thousands of marine mammals." It seems that new technology for the Navy is more important than environmental concerns.

Produced by SBS Australia