NATO under fire from MEPs over ‘killer’ sonar

By Martin Banks

Date: 16/10/03

MEPS have accused NATO of showing a "lack of urgency" in assessing the impact of sonar devices on dolphins and whales.

Two deputies joined forces with environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) this week in calling for an immediate moratorium on the use of low-frequency active sonar devices.

Finnish European People's Party member Eija-Riitta Korhola and UK Greens/EFA MEP Caroline Lucas presented a petition signed by nearly 100,000 people to NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday (13 October).

The move comes amid growing concern about the effects of sound waves from underwater military sonar equipment.

Korhola said that sonar severely distresses whales and dolphins and can leave them stranded on the surface of the sea.

She argues that the use of such devices without proper studies into the environmental impact is in breach of the UN convention on the law of the sea.

This week's action was backed by the European Coalition for Silent Oceans, which is an umbrella body representing 40 environmental NGOs.

After delivering the petition to NATO press chief Jamie Shea, Korhola said: "The NATO officials listened to us but they appear to show a lack of urgency on this issue. Surely, there is now sufficient evidence to show the effect the use of such devices has on these creatures.

"The petition calls for an immediate moratorium on the use of sonars," she added.

Lucas said: "NATO can take a lead by recommending a moratorium to member states. How long must we wait before something is done?"

A NATO spokesman said: "This is an issue we take seriously and a series of research programmes by both NATO and member states are ongoing into the effect of noise on marine mammals.

"It would not be appropriate for NATO to say what member states should and should not do and to suggest otherwise is to misunderstand our role."

The action comes just days after UK and Spanish scientists argued that sonar signals may cause internal injuries to marine mammals at close range.

Their report suggested the sonar waves confuse the mammals' sense of depth, causing them to surface quickly and suffer blood clots and fatal decompression sickness.

There is growing concern over the effect of sound waves from underwater military sonar equipment on whales and dolphins. A petition signed by 100,000 people was delivered to NATO headquarters in Brussels on 13 October 2003 calling for an immediate moratorium on the use of such devices.