The US Navy has been told it cannot use a type of sonar which could be harmful to marine animals, as it holds war exercises off Hawaii this week.

The Navy had planned to use mid-frequency sonar which can, some marine scientists fear, permanently damage sensitive detection systems used by whales, dolphins and other creatures.

On 3 July a Los Angeles federal judge granted a temporary restraining order in response to a lawsuit filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council, on the basis that use of the sonar off Hawaii would have violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

According to US channel Fox News, the Navy had obtained permission from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to use the sonar – on the understanding that there would be no significant impact on the environment, as required by the NEPA.

The judge found that the Navy had violated NEPA rules by not properly considering alternatives, including running the exercises in an area where fewer marine creatures were likely to be affected.

Passing the temporary restraint order the judge, reported Fox News, said the plaintiffs had established the "possibility that RimPac 2006 will kill, injure and disturb many marine species, including marine mammals, in waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands".

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