The Navy’s use of sonar during maritime exercises may have contributed to the mass stranding of more than 150 whales in Hawaii’s Hanalei Bay two years ago, government scientists said.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the finding _ along with information from other studies _ has led it to ask the Navy to reduce its sonar’s power during exercises planned this summer in Hawaiian waters. It also asked the Navy to turn off its active sonar when the whales come within a set distance.

The Navy says it will comply with the agency’s requests, but said the report released Thursday did not conclusively show sonar triggered the stranding.

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(Source: CBS News)