Our Arctic Neighbors: Scientist opposes opening of Lofoten area

The normal activities of the oil industry would not pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems if offshore Arctic fields were to be developed, but a spill could be catastrophic, a Norwegian marine scientist has said. Citing the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska as an example, Ole Misund told the Arctic Dialogue conference in Bodo, Norway, March 23 that the Lofoten and Vesteralen areas should not be opened to oil and gas development.

“Acute discharges may imply substantial environmental consequences that are difficult, if not impossible to quantify,” Misund said. “Special areas along our coast are so central for the functions, production and biodiversity of our large marine ecosystems that they must be managed under strong precautionary approach considerations.”

The Lofoten and Vesteralen areas are the heart of the large codfish stocks in the Barents Sea, he said. Since only a tiny fraction of the millions of codfish eggs spawned survives to adulthood, any disruption of the ecosystem could wipe out those few would-be survivors, Misund said. On the other hand, studies have shown that seismic data collection by the oil industry and production water from industry activities has few adverse effects on fish populations, he said.

“The Exxon Valdez accident shows long-term ecological effects in the ecosystem, genetic changes in stocks, etc.,” Misund said. The Exxon Valdez tanker spilled an estimated 10.8 million gallons of crude oil when it hit Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound.

—Sarah Hurst