Submarine fish threat denied

It is feared sonar causes internal injuries

The Ministry of Defence has dismissed concern that nuclear submarines could be killing off fish stocks around Scotland.

Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson said the low frequency activated sonars (LFAS) used by submarines can damage or kill fish and pose a threat to whales and divers.

Evidence given to the European Parliament fisheries committee showed that sounds of the same frequency and duration used by the sonar cause internal injuries and death in fish.

But the MoD said the sonar system was not currently in operational use on any British navy vessel.

In light of the evidence it may not always be the fishermen who are to blame for dwindling fish stocks

Struan Stevenson

Fisheries committee president Mr Stevenson has called on the European Parliament to investigate LFAS.

The MEP described the issue as a "matter of grave concern" particularly on the west coast of Scotland as UK and US nuclear submarines pass through the Clyde on their way to and from the Faslane naval base.

He said: "The collapse of fish stocks in the Firth of Clyde has been echoed around the rest of the UK coast and indeed across the globe.

"In light of the evidence it may not always be the fishermen who are to blame for dwindling fish stocks."

A spokesman for the MoD said: "No UK submarine is fitted with LFAS.

"Indeed LFAS is not yet in operational service on any unit in the Royal Navy."

Diver concern

Mr Stevenson said the impact of the sonars on divers is more severe than originally thought.

He said: "The likelihood of panic behaviour in un-alerted recreational divers, exposed to LFAS, has been recognised as a serious threat by British navy doctors.

"The US Navy's tests of LFAS on their own alerted personnel indicate that fairly strong aversive behaviour would be expected at levels well below 145 decibels."

He said the issue of trauma and death caused by sonars is now an issue "of major international controversy" and called for alternative methods for underwater surveillance to be used.