Western Gray Whale Critically Threatened by Oil and Gas Exploration

green | June 15th, 2009 - 7:34 PM

One of the world’s most critically endangered whales, the western gray whale, is being pushed out of its annual feeding area by loud industrial activity from oil and gas exploration by Exxon, BP, and Rosneft, says a panel of top scientists.

“Western gray whale cows with their calves feed near the shore, but the industrial noise resulting from oil and gas development activities is pushing them out of the area.” – Doug Norlen, Pacific Environment

The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP), a group of 11 scientists and representatives from Shell and Sakhalin Energy, discussed the effects of oil and gas development on the gray whales off the coast of Sakhalin Island (their main annual feeding area) in a meeting in April.

The scientists disclosed that the number of whales in the feeding area was greatly reduced during 2008, which may translate to less successful breeding for the animals.

Any disturbance of these critically endangered whales’ behavior is particularly concerning as there are only 130 of them left.Norlen

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A petition calling for postponement of new development work by major oil companies in the feeding area has been signed by 35,000 people, and the timing for action on the petition is crucial, as the whales will begin arriving at the feeding area near Sakhalin within a month. The petition also calls for companies to work with scientists to find ways to protect the endangered animals.

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http://ecoworldly.com/2009/06/16/western-gray-whale-critically-threatened-by-oil-and-gas-exploration/

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