April 19th, 2009 Oil Companies Threaten Gray Whale Population
Oil and gas companies BP and Exxon have ignored pleas to help protect endangered gray whales.
These whales are currently listed as endangered in Russia and on the ICUN Red List of Endangered Species, a status that requires Russia to provide special protection to them and their habitat by eliminating any factors that could lead to population decline or habitant destruction. Presently authorities have recorded the number of Russian gray whales at a total of 130 with an estimate of only 25 females capable of reproduction.
It is possible that a decline in population growth may stem from the underwater noise produced during onshore pile driving activities conducted by Exxon Neftegas Limited (ENL). A proposal has been made to establish a Sakhalin Marine Federal Wildlife Reserve to set aside waters along the Piltun Spit for gray whale habitat. The proposal has been submitted to Russian authorities for review. The reserve would also offer protection to Piltun Bay’s “shallow waters” for sustaining fishing grounds.
Meanwhile, Shell has been willing to at least discuss possible solutions with the WGWAP. Exxon and BP have not shown the same courtesy and much of the problem may be caused Exxon’s onshore pile driving. Until these two companies are willing to take responsibility for the damage their actions have caused, I can only hope that customers will use their discernment and avoid their products.
