If I have to hazard a guess:Possibly.
Their signature on sonar is similar to that of a submarine. A British warship killed three whales during Falklands War mistaking them for submarines.
It could also be meant for conservation of whales in open seas. Because otherwise species classification wouldn't be necessary...
They need the sonar signatures by the whale types, because different whale species have different signatures AND live/migrate in different regions.
As such, if the submarine is in a particular area where Species A whale is supposed to be found &they find its signature then it's very likely that it is indeed a whale. But if they find the signature of say Species D (which is not supposed to be there) then they could get suspicious and inspect it further....
Sorry....just my brain fart