Conservationists urge Sakhalin suspension

International conservation group WWF has urged Shell to suspend its proposed work on the controversial Sakhalin II project later this year, following claims that the work could lead to the extinction of the western gray whale. A review from leading whale experts has found no evidence to suggest that the project will not harm the 100-strong population, and estimations that the death of just one female per year could drive the species to extinction mean that the situation is finely balanced.

Offshore pipeline construction on the project is due to begin in two months, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will announce a funding decision later this week.

"Shell must stop this project now, and assess the condition of the whale population this summer before they proceed with any more construction. Currently Shell is ignoring the science and the EBRD cannot guarantee the future of the whales, so they should not finance the project," said James Leaton, WWF oil expert.

"There is no room for error with this critically endangered whale population. Shell has had years to develop adequate measures, yet keeps coming up short and ploughing on with their construction agenda. There is a full schedule of work planned for this summer, including some of the noisiest construction activities."