The Navy says it won't comply with sonar training restrictions that aim to protect marine mammals off the California coast, arguing that the commission that imposed the rules does not have the jurisdiction to do so.

The Navy has been using sonar during training exercises off the California coast for decades, a practice that critics say can injure whales and other sea mammals. Last year, it sought permission for the exercises from the commission as part of new internal guidelines to ensure major exercises are environmentally sound.

Environmentalists say whales have stranded themselves on beaches after being exposed to high-intensity mid-frequency sonar. The sonar is also claimed to interfere with the ability of marine mammals to navigate, hunt, take care of their offspring and avoid predators.

But the Pacific Fleet said the commission's rules would prevent the Navy from training sailors to use sonar to track enemy submarines. It has made anti-submarine warfare training a top priority, as other nations, including China, have acquired submarines that are quieter and harder to detect.

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[Playing war games against the Asian commies and terrirists is much more important than few fish.]