The Navy continues to be a world leader in marine species research and monitoring, having funded marine research programs, surveys, and data collection efforts since 1992. The Navy has committed approximately 250 million dollars over the past decade to marine mammal and in-water acoustic research.  

One of the Navy’s research objectives is to increase understanding of marine mammal reactions to sound and provide a more robust scientific basis for estimating the effects on marine mammals from Navy activities. 

Throughout the Mariana Islands, the Navy has supported and funded marine species research and monitoring projects, such as studies on local humpback whale populations, beaked whale behaviors, and sea turtle abundance. Monitoring allows Navy scientists to develop a better understanding of the whales’ distribution, movement patterns, habitat use, population structure, and abundance.