Sonar 2087

Sonar 2087 is a new low frequency UK military sonar that recently came into service. There is a growing number of whale strandings around the world that are associated with active sonar, similar to 2087 and therefore the Marine Connection has great concerns for not only the cetaceans off the UK coastline but worldwide. Sonar 2087 will be fitted to eight Royal Navy anti-submarine frigates by 2010.

The first four vessels; HMS Westminster,HMS Northumberland, HMS Richmond, HMS Somerset and HMS Albans have now been fitted. HMS Sutherland is due to be fitted in August 2007 and eventually both HMS Portland and HMS Kent in 2010. The purpose? ~ to provide the Royal Navy with an underwater sensor capable of detecting submarines from large distances. The Marine Connection has been calling for an independent, public enquiry into the potential effects of Sonar 2087 and for the suspension of any further trials or deployment of Sonar 2087 until its effects are better understood.

Unlike the US, the Ministry of Defence despite several requests from the NGO community refuse to hold public meetings. The charity also requests that they monitor and investigate in a publicly open and transparent manner any strandings or deaths of marine mammals that may be associated with similar trials.

Cetaceans may experience gross damage to ears, damage to body tissue, masking of communication,interference with ability to acoustically interpret their environment and also interference with food finding. Long term effects caused by sonar are almost impossible to identify. Many whales that are fatally impacted can sink to the bottom of the ocean, therefore the true death toll cannot be estimated. There are widespread concerns about the danger of high intensity sonar to marine mammals, marine ecosystems and the health of our depleted oceans.

The European Parliament has called upon its member states to impose a moratorium on military sonars. The World Conservation Union, comprising some 70 nations along with 400 non-governmental groups, has also passed a resolution to limit the use of loud noises. This clearly shows that there is a growing international consensus that something must be done to control underwater noise. The Royal Navy have not tested their new system fully and therefore do not know the full effect it may have had or could have on marine life. Low frequency sonar can travel hundreds of miles through our oceans at considerable intensities, a single ping can travel for hundreds if not thousands of miles across the oceans and has huge potential to cause environmental harm.

Advancing technology is not neccessarily wrong but navies cannot continue injuring or killing innocent life to do so. The Marine Connection work with scientists worldwide who say there is no dispute that some underwater activities kill marine mammals, therefore the Marine Connection will continue to question the Royal Navys' new sonar.

The US Navy have acknowledged that its use of sonar off the Bahamas in March 2000 resulted in the stranding of 16 whales, therefore the charity has no confidence in the Royal Navy when they say that their new sonar system will not harm or kill marine life.

Most military sonar is not a gentle ping but can create a massive blast of noise and continue up to 60 seconds, reaching 235 decibels. Sound carries so well underwater that animals can be affected at great distances. One scientist analysing underwater acoustic data reported that a single low frequency sonar signal deployed off the coast of California could be heard over the entire North Pacific Ocean. The Marine Connection of course respects UK Government concerns over national security, but it also has a legal obligation to protect the marine environment. EU Habitats Directive states that all cetaceans should be given protection from disturbance occurring in UK waters.