Strasbourg, 20/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - Economic Affairs Commissioner Pedro Solbes announced at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Thursday that the European Commission was going to commission a scientific analysis of the impact of active low-frequency sonar on life at sea in order to decide on measures to be taken in this connection. Following a written question from the European Parliament, the Commission has decided to study the potential damage caused by the use of this technology (submarine detection technology used by naval forces), which is currently being tested. On behalf of the EPP-ED, Finnish MEP Eija-Riitta Anneli Korhola said that the technology had already caused damage to cetaceans, such as the tests in the Bahamas carried out by the United States and NATO in March 2000 and September 2002. Ms Korhola is calling for the use of such technology to be temporarily suspended while a scientific study is carried out. The same request was made by the British MEP Caroline Lucas who, on behalf of the Greens, called the system a genuine menace for sea mammals in whom it leads to death, reproduction and regrouping problems. She said that use of sonar detection also violated the United Nations Convention on the right of the sea. Adding that the Commission should not simply respond to a written question by saying that the technology has to be used carefully, Ms Lucas demanded an immediate moratorium banning use of the system in all Member States and calling for an assessment study to be made by the Commission.