European Parliament Urges Sonar Moratorium

doi:10.1126/science.306.5698.957b

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The European Parliament (EP) is asking its 25 member nations to place a moratorium on the use of high-intensity naval sonars implicated in the mass deaths of whales. Last week's nonbinding resolution cites "increasing scientific and public concerns" about ocean noise impacts on cetaceans and calls for an in-depth study of the issue.

Over the last decade, researchers have linked several strandings to sonar, but they are still uncertain of exactly how the sound pulses harm cetaceans (Science, 24 October 2003, p. 547). The moratorium and study are a needed step toward clarifying the science and "searching for clean technologies," says marine mammalogist Antonio Fernández of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. But the resolution may have little impact unless it is adopted by the European Commission and the Council of Ministers, which will consider the measure next year.