Military impacts

The US Navy uses the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental Test Range, situated just off Nanoose Bay, right in the heart of the Strait of Georgia, to test its naval weapons systems.

As a result, nuclear-powered ships and submarines, including vessels that have likely been armed with nuclear weapons, have visited our waters regularly over the past 35 years - raising public concerns of potential accidents and release of radiation and other contaminants.

Aside from the nuclear risk, naval operations worldwide also have other significant impacts on the marine environment and marine life, including whales.

Learn more:

• Canadian Military Interferes with Killer Whale Recovery Strategy - May 23, 2007
• Acoustic Impacts on Marine Life (Ocean Mammal Institute)
• Navy Blamed for Marine Mammal Deaths (May 2003)
• Navy Sonar Threatens Whales (Nov. 2000)
• The Dangers of Naval Testing at Nanoose (1999)