The use of sonar by the Navy off the shores of Southern California has prompted vehement opposition by animal rights and environmental groups, and earlier this year a court order put in place restrictions on the practice. However, reports that a dolphin's death in late January on the island of San Nicolas might be linked to the Navy's use of sonar in a training exercise has once again brought the issue into the spotlight.

The female northern right whale dolphin underwent a necropsy in Santa Barbara, but the cause of death was not immediately evident. However, published reports reveal that "the Navy's Third Fleet was conducting training that included sonar use at the time."

According to cbs2.com:

The Navy is appealing a ruling made by a federal judge earlier this month that said despite a presidential waiver, the service must comply with a no-sonar zone off the Southern California coast.

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