Oil Companies Given Right To 'Harass' Polar Bears
By Wendy Heller, July 5, 2008 @ 02:00 AM (EST)
Source: Newscientist.com
"Just over a month since the US government designated the polar bear
as an endangered species. Now the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
stands accused of giving oil companies a "blank cheque to harass polar
bears".
The row revolves around the seven oil companies that paid $2.6 billion in February for the rights to look for oil in the Chukchi Sea, off the coast of Alaska. Some 2000 polar bears live in the region - a significant chunk of the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 bears worldwide, and the companies were worried that environmental groups might take legal action to prevent the animals being disturbed.
But the FWS issued regulations last week permitting firms to disturb "small numbers" of bears and walruses without fear of prosecution as long as they report each incident and take steps to minimise the animals' stress. If underwater sonar is being used, for instance, engineers must stop surveying should a bear swim close by."
Comments
Be the first to add a comment to this article.
You must be logged in to comment.
Related Content
April 12, 2012, 9:30AM
A Mediterranean monk seal was released back into the wild after recovering for two months in a Greek rehabilitation center. more
January 27, 2011, 12:55AM
Study finds polar bears swimming great distances in search of food more
October 5, 2009, 12:07PM
Half a century after Pacific walruses began recovering from industrial-scale hunting, marine biologists are growing worried that more
September 28, 2009, 4:20PM
The federal government is considering taking the humpback whale off the endangered species list in response to data showing the more
May 9, 2009, 1:00AM
Here is a New York Times article relating to the recent decision to not overturn Bush's controversial polar bear rules more
Sponsors
Dive Industry News
Participants in PADI Public Safety Diver workshop help recover stolen vehicleDAN Alert Diver magazine now available for Android usersFirst recipient of the Richard A. Hartley Scholarship AnnouncedAtlantis Azores announces new Philippines departures, itinerariesDive Pirates to stage DIVEAPALOOZA this weekend in Texas
What's New
