Brosnan opposes sonar to save the whales

Irish movie star Pierce Brosnan has joined environmentalists to protest at the US Navy’s new low-frequency sonar, saying the equipment adversely affects whales and marine animals.

"It’s like a bad case of déja-vu," Brosnan said yesterday. "I thought we had already saved the whales."

Brosnan spoke during a news conference staged by the Natural Resources Defense Council in California announcing an effort by environmental groups to oppose use of the sonar.

The actor also planned to attend a public hearing last night held by the National Marine Fisheries Service on whether to grant the Navy permission to deploy the sonar system that sends stronger sound waves much farther than the current technology.

Environmentalists said the sound waves can disrupt the breeding, migration and feeding of whales and dolphins.

"We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that active sonars cause whales to beach themselves... I don’t believe we can take the risks," Brosnan said.