British Government asks Russia to Stop Oil Survey during Whale Breeding Season

It now seems that the British government is putting extra pressure on Russia to postpone its controversial search for oil and gas because of the potential impact it could have on endangered whales. Rosneft, which is the Russian state-owned energy company, plans on conducting seismic survey’s next week in the waters off Sakhalin Island in the far east of the country.

However, marine experts are saying that they are extremely concerned about the possible impact on the fragile population of western grey whales. The next few weeks mark a critical time in the breeding season for these whales. The survey is scheduled to take place when the highest number of animals are in that region; this includes mothers and their calves.

In a joint letter to Russia, which was signed by British officials and representatives from 11 other nation’s governments, the country was asked to change its plans to protect the whales. Some of the other countries that signed this letter to back up Britain include the United States, Germany and France.

This letter was sent just last week to the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources. It said that they note that the planned seismic survey schedule for July 2010 off Sakhalin Island is going to coincide with the critical period of the western grey whale feeding season. Thus, they welcome consideration of its postponement.

Right now there are only about 130 of these whales thought to remain in the world. Out of these, only about two dozen of them are even believed to be females of calf bearing age. Studies do show that noise pollution in the sea does reduce the area in which whales can feed, and it hampers their ability to communicate with each other.