The Navy announced plans March 26 to renew authorization for live-sonar and explosives testing and training in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and Gulf of Mexico. In making the announcement, Rear Adm. Kevin R. Slates, who commands the Navy’s operations energy and readiness activities, maintained that such exercises are necessary and conducted in as safe a manner for the environment and marine life as possible. "The best available science – and the Navy’s long track record of conducting similar training and testing – indicate our proposed activities will continue to have negligible effects on marine mammal populations," Slates said. While stopping short of guaranteeing zero adverse effects on wildlife, Slates promised the Navy will act as "responsible stewards of the environment as we support America’s security and prosperity." He also said that the Navy has provided more than $100 million to marine mammal research during the past five years.