The European Parliament has called on member nations to suspend the use of high-intensity sonar during naval manoeuvres until research determines whether the very loud sounds are leading to the deaths of whales and other sea creatures.<\/P><\/p>\n
The non-binding resolution, overwhelmingly adopted by the 25-nation body on Thursday, is believed to be the first instance of a government body anywhere weighing in on the controversial issue. Although the resolution does not require member navies to stop using “active” sonar, it concludes that a growing body of research suggests that the widespread use of loud sonar has caused some whales and other animals to beach themselves.<\/P><\/p>\n
The resolution also calls on member nations to push NATO and other international alliances to adopt similar moratoriums and to work towards developing alternative technologies.<\/P><\/p>\n
In recent years mass whale strandings have followed naval sonar manoeuvres in Greece, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and the Canary Islands.<\/P><\/p>\n
The US Navy and many others use loud “active” sonar to detect submarines. While the US Navy has acknowledged that its sonar played a central role in the stranding of 17 whales in the Bahamas in 2000, it says that sonar can be used safely and has been unfairly linked to other whale strandings.<\/P><\/p>\n
Recent strandings suspected to have been caused by sonar have all involved the older mid-frequency variety.<\/P><\/p>\n
The US Navy and others are also developing more powerful low-frequency sonar that can travel hundreds of kilometres under water, and which some environmentalists believe will be more hazardous than the mid-frequency sonar now used.<\/P><\/p>\n
Pentagon officials say the low-frequency sonar – which has been the subject of protracted litigation – is needed to meet the future threat of low-technology submarines in crowded coastal waters.<\/P><\/p>\n
The European Parliament passed the moratorium resolution with 441 votes in favour, 15 against, and 14 abstentions.<\/P><\/p>\n
“This is a global problem that must be solved through international co-operation,” said Frederick O’Regan, president of the International Fund for Animals. “The resolution … is a significant step towards that goal.”<\/P><\/p>\n
In July the International Whaling Commission found “compelling evidence” that high-intensity sonar was harming whales and leading to some mass strandings.<\/P>
\n
The Washington Post<\/B><\/P><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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