WWF-UK: Independent panel backs WWF fears over Sakhalin whales
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Independent panel backs WWF fears over Sakhalin whales
Friday 20 July 2007
An independent panel of scientists has backed WWF's concerns about the severe impact that high noise levels are having on one of the world's most endangered whale populations. The noise is being caused by the construction of a new oil extraction platform off Sakhalin Island, in the Russian Far East.
The waters off Sakhalin Island are the only known feeding ground for western gray whales, which migrate between eastern Russia and southern China. The IUCN - the World Conservation Union - lists this whale population as 'critically endangered', its highest category, on its Red List of threatened species. The population consists of about 120 individuals, with just 25-35 reproductive females.
The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, set up by IUCN in 2006, recommended in April 2007 that Sakhalin Energy, the consortium behind the oil and gas development, adopt strict criteria for the management of noise from its construction activities.
In response to these recommendations, however, Sakhalin Energy stated it was "not technically feasible to implement the proposed criteria," and added that its construction work in 2007 had been planned on criteria "successfully used in 2006".
In a statement, the IUCN panel said: "The panel finds Sakhalin Energy's apparent decision to reject the noise criteria proposed in April for the 2007 season extremely disappointing and potentially unsafe for the western gray whale population; it has received no new information from the company to justify its decision.
"We are especially concerned that the company appears to have decided not to include thresholds for prolonged exposure to lower noise levels. Without more rigorous noise management and mitigation efforts on the part of Sakhalin Energy and other companies operating in the region, their activities may have significant long-term effects on gray whales attempting to feed in this area. Such a possibility is of particular concern with regard to pregnant females and females with calves."
Sakhalin Energy is a consortium that includes Gazprom, Shell, Mitsui and Mitsubishi. It is building the Sakhalin II oil and gas development.
The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, set up by IUCN in 2006, recommended in April 2007 that Sakhalin Energy, the consortium behind the oil and gas development, adopt strict criteria for the management of noise from its construction activities.
In response to these recommendations, however, Sakhalin Energy stated it was "not technically feasible to implement the proposed criteria," and added that its construction work in 2007 had been planned on criteria "successfully used in 2006".
In a statement, the IUCN panel said: "The panel finds Sakhalin Energy's apparent decision to reject the noise criteria proposed in April for the 2007 season extremely disappointing and potentially unsafe for the western gray whale population; it has received no new information from the company to justify its decision.
"We are especially concerned that the company appears to have decided not to include thresholds for prolonged exposure to lower noise levels. Without more rigorous noise management and mitigation efforts on the part of Sakhalin Energy and other companies operating in the region, their activities may have significant long-term effects on gray whales attempting to feed in this area. Such a possibility is of particular concern with regard to pregnant females and females with calves."
Sakhalin Energy is a consortium that includes Gazprom, Shell, Mitsui and Mitsubishi. It is building the Sakhalin II oil and gas development.
