SEATTLE -- Bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions will enhance security measures at Naval Base Kitsap, the Navy announced Wednesday.

Starting in 2010, teams of security personnel along with the specially-trained marine animals will protect 'waterside assets' and sailors from intruding swimmers or divers.

The Navy said their “bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions are uniquely qualified for underwater sentry duty, mine clearance, and object recovery because of their exceptional sensory and diving capabilities.”

An environmental study conducted before the decision said the dolphins and sea lions are not expected to experience any environmentally-related effects from moving to or living at the naval base.

The Navy said they consulted with state and federal regulatory agencies, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Washington State Department of Ecology, and the Washington Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation before making the decision.