World Wildlife
Fund: Shell oil platform in Russia's Far East driving whales
towards extinction: "Earlier this year, Shell ignored the
findings of an independent panel of distinguished scientists
that recommended against constructing a platform near the
whale's feeding area.": Wednesday 14 December 2005
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Burning oil-gas by the
Sakhalinneftegaz state company. Sakhalin
Island on the Sea of Okhotsk, Russian
Federation.
© WWF-Canon / Vladimir Filnov
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Map of the Sakhalin region
© WWF
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Critically endangered Gray whale
Eschrictius robustus.
© WWF-Canon
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14 Dec 2005
Gland, Switzerland – An oil platform, constructed by Royal
Dutch Shell in the Russian Far East, is disrupting the
feeding patterns of the last remaining 100 Western Pacific
grey whales, according to a survey by WWF.
Results from the survey carried out from July to September —
the whale's peak feeding period — showed fewer whales in the
area closest to the platform, which covers a fifth of their
only known feeding grounds. Earlier this year, Shell ignored
the findings of an independent panel of distinguished
scientists that recommended against constructing a platform
near the whale's feeding area.
"I am extremely concerned that the installation of the
platform may have caused significant dislocation of the
whales," said Richard Steiner, a professor at the University
of Alaska. "This does not bode well for the future of the
whales and calls into question Shell's professed commitment
to the environment.”
Professor Steiner resigned from the independent panel
following Shell's refusal in July to delay the installation
of the platform. At that time Shell had agreed not to "plan,
implement or continue any activity found to have a
biological impact on the whale population".
The platform is part of a multi-billion gas and oil
development project known as Sakhalin II, which consists of
three offshore platforms, offshore and onshore pipelines, an
onshore processing facility, a liquefied natural gas
facility, and an oil and gas terminal. However, the
Shell-led consortium — including other multi-nationals like
Mitsubishi and Mistui — relies on financing from the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
In May 2005, the head of the EBRD determined that the
project was "unfit for purpose" due to Shell's disregard for
environmental considerations. The bank could make a decision
as early as Wednesday on whether it will fund the Sakhalin
II project.
"Shell has failed to meet even its own environmental
standards on its projects," said Paul Steele, WWF
International’s Chief Executive Officer. "We urge the bank
to decline financing until Shell properly faces up to its
responsibilities."
WWF calls on Shell to suspend all offshore activities
pending results of next year’s whale monitoring programme
and to suspend all construction activities for river
crossings pending an independent assessment. Shell should be
required to restore degraded rivers and tributaries and
compensate local fishing communities for loss of livelihood
as a consequence of current practices. Shell should also
present an oil spill prevention programme that meets
internationally acceptable standards, particularly in the
harsh, icy conditions off Sakhalin's coastline.
For further information:
Claire Doole, Head of Press
WWF International
+41 79 477 3564
E-mail: cdoole@wwfint.org |
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