Apples to oranges. The processes you mentioned actively produce an end product. Sonar, at best, produces intelligence during wartime and at worst, kills intelligent marine life during peacetime.
Kills endangered species, sentient or not, that are strictly protected by law. Like Eubalaena japonica, with a world population estimated between 23 and 40 animals.
Anybody caught just willfully harassing a whale would face a hefty fine or even jail time. To kill entire herds of several species of dolphins and whales is, understandably, a much worst offence. The question to be answered here is: Can the army be allowed to just ignore the current law in peace time, arguing that laws are annoying for them?
The problem was that they were breaking the law for no reason, not if this whales can use facebook or not.
The end products of a powerful navy are openness of the sea for commerce, protection of international peace, and national security.
Intelligence, when gathered in accordance with the law, is an invaluable resource in producing those end products.
Security may be something that many in the United States take for granted, but it is one of the basic requirements of human beings, perhaps even prior to food, water, and shelter on the hierarchy of needs.
What goals? The "openness of the sea for commerce, protection of international peace"?
It's about a nation's interests. We shouldn't pretend that, if those interests are better served by closing down the sea for commerce and waging war, the navy would do anything else. The navy is a tool of power and suppression of its enemies.
