WWF Calls for Risk
Assessment, Greater Protections as Bering Sea Disaster Grows
December 16, 2004 — By WWF-US
Washington - World Wildlife Fund today called on federal and Alaskan officials
to follow up the Selendang Ayu wreck and fuel spill with a risk assessment of
shipping routes in the Bering Sea, including the Great Circle Route, along which
the spill took place. It is the primary shipping route between the west coast of
North America and Asia. Among other things, the assessment should consider
additional capacity for safety and habitat protection, and lead to the
designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas around ecologically important
areas in the Bering Sea, which would require shippers to take special
precautions.
"We extend our condolences to the families of the six crew members lost in
this tragic incident and commend the heroic efforts of the Coast Guard and
others involved in the rescue and clean-up," said Margaret Williams,
director of WWF's Bering Sea program. "This tragedy highlights the risk of
locating one of the busiest shipping routes in the world in an area rich in
wildlife and prone to extreme weather conditions. We now need to evaluate the
entire Bering Sea to make sure that there are sufficient response measures to
deal with these kinds of incidents in the future and that we have regulations in
place to minimize their risk of happening again."
The fuel spill off Unalaska Island threatens an area identified in 1997 by WWF
and The Nature Conservancy as one of the highest priorities for conservation in
the Bering Sea. The Sea provides the U.S. with more than half its seafood. In
addition to the likely impacts on the important commercial fisheries of the
region, the spill is likely to take a toll on local subsistence fishing and
sensitive wildlife. "We must not ignore the urgent wake up call this
tragedy sends," said Williams. "It's time for action to protect
resources our nation and the world cannot afford to squander."
Last year, spurred by a previous oil disaster, WWF testified before the Senate
Commerce Committee urging for the establishment of Particularly Sensitive Sea
Areas (PSSA) in U.S. waters to protect environmentally and economically
sensitive areas from oil spills. There is a PSSA around the Florida Keys, and
six other areas outside the U.S. The designation requires the use of special
precautions such as avoiding ecologically vulnerable areas, using vessel traffic
monitoring systems, traffic separation schemes, compulsory pilotage, and escort
towing of tankers to and from ports. All of these strategies could be applicable
along the Great Circle Route.
Fuel from the Selendang Ayu has reportedly reached beaches important for
endangered Steller sea lions, threatened Steller and spectacled eiders, and
other seabird species, along with harbor seals, and sea otters. The thousands of
birds that nest nearby the spill may be tempted to feed off oil-killed fish and
other animals as well as the oil-contaminated soybeans spilling from the ship. A
longer-term concern is the possibility that rats, typically present on such
freighters, could reach shore. Rats are rapacious predators of ground nesting
birds.
"Unalaska, and the Aleutians in general, contain critical habitat for many
kinds of wildlife. The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge needs better
protection from shipping and more resources to prevent and respond to situations
like this spill," said Williams.
As the Arctic pack ice retreats due to the warming effects of climate change
expansion of shipping routes in the northern Bering Sea increases chance the for
accidents of this kind. "That's a chance we can't afford to take,"
added Williams. "Marine environments worldwide are in decline. Let's act on
this tragic reminder that we need to do more to protect them."
For More Information
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For more information, contact:
Tom Lalley
WWF-US
Telephone: 202/778-9544
Email: tom.lalley@wwfus.org
Web site: www.worldwildlife.org