Arctic Bulletin No 2.07 • PUBLISHED by the WWF I Nte R N Ati O N a L a R C T I C P RO G R a MME

Arctic Bulletin No 2.07 • PUBLISHED BY THE WWF I nte r n ati o n a l a r C T I C P RO G r a MME

Nowhere to go p. 4–5

Sea ice at record low p. 4–5

New rules needed for Arctic p. 7

The impact of climate change on arctic politics and biology p. 21–22

Special insert: Kamachatka and Bering Sea Ecoregions p. 11–14 WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 Contents l Call for protection of Canada’s forest p. 6

Higher costs and delays for gas pipeline p. 8 l

l Will Canada provide what bowheads need? p. 18–19

Whales of Bristol Bay p. 17–18 l

l Tracking polar bears in Beaufort Sea p. 9 l Sea ice at record low p. 5 Polar bear and walrus refugees in Chukotka p. 20–21 l l Sámi reindeer herder sees uncertain future p. 10 and p. 15 Special insert: Bering Sea and Kamachatka Ecoregions p. 11–14 l

Climate change threatens Siberian forests p. 8–9 l Russian ice refuge for ivory gulls p. 15–16 l

l New nature reserve for Russian Arctic p. 9 l Just five more years to take action p. 3 l Time is running out for polar bears p. 4–5 l Earth’s climate approaching ‘dangerous’ l Disturbed, hungry, and lost — climate change tipping points p. 4–5 impacts on whales p. 16–17 l Inuit and islanders join forces on l The impact of climate change on arctic politics climate change p. 6 and biology p. 21–22 l New rules needed for the Arctic p. 7 l Forthcoming arctic meetings & events p. 23 l World Environment Day focuses l Book review p. 22–23 on polar regions p. 7 l WWF in the Arctic p. 24

The Arctic Bulletin Publisher: Programme Design and production: Cover: is published quarterly by the WWF WWF International Director: Film & Form/Ketill Berger International Arctic Programme. Arctic Programme Neil Hamilton [email protected] Printed at Merkur-Trykk AS

Reproduction and quotation with PO Box 6784 [email protected] on 100% recycled paper. appropriate credit are encouraged. St Olavs plass Date of publication: Articles by non-affiliated sources do not N-0130 Oslo, Norway Editor: October, 2007 necessarily reflect the views or policies Ph: +47 22 03 65 00 Nigel Allan ISSN 1023-9081 of WWF. Send change of address and Fax: +47 22 20 06 66 [email protected] subscription queries to the address on Internet: www.panda.org/arctic the right. We reserve the right to edit Associate editor: letters for publication, and assume no Emma Duncan responsibility for unsolicited material. Please include name, title and, address with all correspondence. WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07

Editorial

Just five more years to take action

hatever our interest in the Arctic — sustain- people living in Arctic or in ice-capped mountain able livelihoods for indigenous peoples, regions. conservation of biodiversity, improved “The missing link is universal political action. governance for sustainable development, Today’s report should empower the public to take their Wor the maintenance of viable populations of a single leaders to task, should encourage them to ask how species — today we have no choice but to focus on the much hotter it has to get before we single biggest threat to these and many other arctic act on a fair and forward-looking issues: climate change. emissions reduction deal in Bali this Such a statement is not news to those of us working December.” in the region. We are now in a situation where, due So much for political rhetoric. to the implications of arctic climate change on the Scientific papers, on the other hand, entire Earth system, climate science drives the global are less commonly the place where interest in the Arctic. Two recent examples suffice to one finds words such as ‘whipsawed’, illustrate my point: the release of the United Nations ‘great dangers’, ‘cataclysm’, ‘devas- Dr Neil Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Outlook for tating’, ‘imminent peril’, and ‘gravest Hamilton Ice and Snow report, and a paper by some of the world’s danger’. However, a recent (May 2007) Director, leading climate modellers that I believe changes the peer reviewed publication in the WWF International entire dynamic of the climate change debate. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Arctic Programme [email protected] On World Environment Day (appropriately themed Society entitled “Climate change and “Melting Ice — A Hot Topic?”), the under secretary trace gases” by Jim Hansen and five general of the UN and executive director of the UN other leading US climate researchers used all of these. Development Programme, Achim Steiner, launched This single publication has removed any doubt the Global Outlook for Ice and Snow report, the result about the potential for catastrophic impacts as a result of an assessment process by more than 70 leading of a melting Arctic: the level of greenhouse gases that experts, plus the associated knowledge generated by the triggers ‘dangerous’ impacts is much lower than previ- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). ously accepted by organisations such as the IPCC, and Drawing on a wealth of ice and snow data collected indeed may even have already been passed. A further on land and the sea, from both polar regions and the one-degree Celsius temperature increase may be all it world's mountains and glaciers the report summarises takes to start rapid, irreversible change. Interestingly, the current state and outlook for snow and ice, as well Hansen et al point out that preventing a complete as their linkages with climate change and impact on arctic meltdown will require not just a massive reduc- societies and ecology. tion in carbon dioxide emissions, but also a major Little in the report is new or surprising to those ‘in focus on reducing other atmospheric gases and compo- the industry’, but it is the first accessible and readable nents such as ozone, methane, black carbon, organic summary of the scientific basis for the tragedy of the carbon, and N2O. The need for governments to act Arctic: the ice is melting. I commend it to those who have decisively within the next few years, much more deci- not seen it: the entire report plus associated graphics are sively than is currently being proposed by any govern- available at www.unep.org/geo/geo_ice/. ment, is critical. Why is the report so significant? In the words of So where does this leave us? In a new world where Achim Steiner: arctic climate change consumes the attention of many “… the report underlines that the fate of the world’s ecologists, conservationists, and politicians. In a world snowy and icy places in a climatically challenged world where the local has global significance, and the now should be cause for concern in every ministry, board- affects the future. We have perhaps only five years to room and living room across the world. Indeed the implement binding agreements that will safeguard findings are as relevant to people living in the tropics arctic ecosystems, and therefore the world. and temperate climes — and in cities from Berlin to So in 2012, the question will be: “Where were you Brasilia and Beijing to Boston — as they are for the five years ago, and what were you doing?” News WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07

Norway wants Svalbard listed as World Heritage Site WWF welcomes the announcement from the Earth’s climate approaching ‘dangerous’ tipping points Norwegian government to apply to UNESCO to have ASA and Columbia Atmospheric Chemistry and warming. Amplifying feed- the world-famous Svalbard U n i v e r s i t y E a r t h Physics, finds that global backs include increased archipelago designated as a NInstitute research finds warming of 0.6ºC in the absorption of sunlight as World Heritage Site. The that atmospheric greenhouse past 30 years has been driven melting of snow and ice World Heritage list recognises gases emitted by human mainly by increasing levels exposes darker surfaces, and outstanding examples of activities have brought the of greenhouse gases in the speedup of iceberg discharge cultural diversity and natural Earth’s climate close to atmosphere. Climate change as the warming ocean melts wealth. Svalbard is around 1500 critical tipping points, with tipping points can occur ice shelves that otherwise kilometres south of the North potentially dangerous conse- when the climate reaches a inhibit ice flow. Pole and is home to a variety quences for the planet. state where strong ampli- The researchers used data of arctic species including The study, published fying feedbacks are activated on earlier warm periods in polar bears and arctic fox. Neil in the current issue of by only moderate additional Earth’s history to estimate Hamilton, director of WWF’s International Arctic Programme, said: “This is good news. A World Heritage designation will help to put the debate about Nowhere to go for Polar Bears petroleum exploration in the region on ice. WWF wants to he most comprehensive Scientists estimate that tion over the vast majority see a permanent ban of oil and study ever undertaken there are 20,000–25,000 of its range, including all of gas development both for the Tlinking climate change polar bears living in the Russia, Alaska, the Barents islands as well as the waters and the population dynamics Arctic. Sea, the Arctic Ocean, and the around them.” of a species predicts disaster Many scientists characte- vast majority of Greenland for one of the world’s most rise the report’s conclusions and Canada.” Smithsonian alters charismatic species. The fate as conservative because even During a six-month arctic climate of the polar bear in a world the best available models period of intensive analysis exhibition of rapidly changing climate substantially (by 30 percent of both existing and new The US Smithsonian Institution is now in serious question. or more) underestimate the data, the USGS team, consis- toned down an exhibition The report by the US actual decline in arctic sea ting of US and Canadian on arctic climate change, Geological Survey (USGS) ice. researchers, documented the fearing that it would anger predicts that changes in sea Dr Neil Hamilton, director direct relationship between US Congress and the Bush ice will result, at the very of the WWF International the presence of arctic sea ice administration, a former least, in the loss of about Arctic Programme said: “We and the survival and health museum administrator said. The two-thirds of the world’s now have official confirma- of polar bears. Models used official text of the exhibition polar bear population by tion that the largest living by the USGS team project was rewritten to minimise 2050. land predator faces extirpa- a 42 percent loss of optimal and add uncertainty about the relationship between global warming and people, said the former official, Robert Sullivan, who was associate director in charge of exhibitions at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Officials omitted scientists’ interpretations of some research and let visitors draw their own conclusions from the data, Mr. Sullivan said. In addition, graphs were altered “to show that global warming could go either way,” he said. Museum officials denied that political concerns had influenced the exhibition, saying the changes were made to increase objectivity. Source: New York Times / Associated Press lexander Photography, www.arcticphoto.co.uk A lexander Photography, EDIT: Bryan & Cherry C R EDIT: WWF arCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 News 5

iCElAND stoPs wHAliNg DUE to low DEmAND The Icelandic government Earth’s climate approaching ‘dangerous’ tipping points has called a halt to its controversial commercial climate impacts as a func- sheet and arctic sea ice, and shows that there will be whaling programme due tion of global temperature, that regions providing fresh disastrous effects, including to very low demand for its climate models to simulate water sources and species increasingly rapid sea level whale meat and products. global warming, and satel- habitat are under threat from rise, increased frequency of Iceland’s attempts to lite data to verify ongoing continued global warming. droughts and floods, and obtain an export license changes. They conclude that James Hansen, lead author increased stress on wildlife from Japan have so far only moderate additional of the report and head of and plants due to rapidly been rejected, thereby climate forcing (i.e. imposed NASA Goddard Institute for shifting climate zones.” closing off one of the only changes of the planet’s Space Studies, said: “If global viable markets. over the energy balance) is likely to emissions of carbon dioxide Source: NaSa Goddard Institute last year the Icelandic set in motion disintegration continue to rise at the rate of for Space Studies whaling industry killed 14 of the West Antarctic ice the past decade, this research whales including seven fi n whales, which are classifi ed as “endangered” under the IUCN red List of Threatened Species. Nowhere to go for Polar Bears Sea ice at record low Iceland’s decision to resume commercial whaling in polar bear habitat from the Arctic sea ice extent 2006 met with protests Polar Basin during summer, from over 25 countries. (Area of ocean with at least 15% sea ice) a vital hunting and breeding Einar K. Guofi nnsson, arctic sea ice extent comparing 2007 and period, by mid-century. Iceland’s fi sheries minister, 2005 and the 1979–2000 average. Polar bears depend on told reuters: “The whaling sea ice as a platform to hunt industry, like any other seals, their primary food. But industry, has to obey the sea ice is decreasing throug- market. If there is no hout their arctic range due to profi tability there is no climate change. foundation for resuming Dr Hamilton said: with the killing of whales.” “The world is still discus- sing whether or not to take CHiNEsE HAZE iN

rapid action against climate NSIDC CrEDIT: tHE ArCtiC change. Evidence of the booming “Politicians are fiddling he University of Illinois’ expected to break a new Chinese economy is at the edges while the arctic Polar Research Group record low for 2007. showing up in the seemingly wilderness succumbs to global Thas reported that the In the past WWF has clean arctic air. Scientists warming; but in the meantime, 2007 arctic sea ice area has reported on and followed at a research station on they are sending one of the already broken the record sea ice extent as reported Zeppelin Mountain in world’s greatest species on its for the lowest area ever by the National Snow and northern Norway are way to extinction.” since satellite measurements Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) in fi nding tiny chemical traces The study completely began in 1979. Colorado, US. from many southern towns changes required approaches The minimum sea ice area According to the NSIDC, and factories. The highest to polar bear conservation. typically occurs in September, arctic sea ice extent for 2007 levels still come from WWF will be working closely at the end of a melting period could also set a new record russia and Europe but with the research commu- that lasts throughout the minimum — substantially there is an increasing level nity, governments, and the northern summer. With a below the current 2005 of pollution from China and indigenous peoples of the month or more of sea ice record. other developing nations in Arctic to find innovative melting still to occur this The NSIDC website says: asia. Kim Holmen, research solutions to this situation. year, the sea ice area could “At this point in the 2007 director at the Norwegian For more information: decrease even further. melt season, this much is Polar Institute, told reuters: www.usgs.gov/newsroom/ The Polar Research Group already clear: the Arctic is “Some days we can special/ polar_bears/ is measuring sea ice “area” experiencing an unprec- defi nitely tell that the air and not sea ice “extent”. edented sixth consecutive has come from China…The Marian Schoen Sea ice extent measures year with much less sea ice air is always mixing but Head of Public Affairs variations in the southern than normal, and it looks you can do some detective WWF International Arctic boundary of the sea ice like this year’s sea ice melt work: the particles are Programme edge, whereas as sea ice area season may herald a new and slightly different in the [email protected] includes areas of open water steeper rate of decline.” United States, russia, China, within the central pack ice. Nigel Allan Europe or India.” Martin Hiller But sea ice extent is also [email protected] Communications Manager WWF Global Climate Change Programme Mhiller@wwfi nt.org News WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 Call for protection of Canada’s forest n a letter addressed to Canada’s a significant shield against global only if our leaders act decisively leaders, 1,500 highly respected warming. and act now.” Iscientists from more than 50 However, the forest is under The scientists’ letter recom- countries around the world called increasing pressure from logging, mends preserving a minimum for protection of Canada’s boreal mining, and oil and gas operations. of half of the forest in protected forest. Only ten percent has been protected areas while allowing only care- The scientists identify the 566 to date, far less than what is scien- fully managed development on the million hectare forest as one of the tifically recognised as necessary to rest, in accordance with the Boreal largest intact forest and wetland sustain the ecosystem over time. Conservation Framework, a plan ecosystems remaining on earth. It is David Schindler, Killam already endorsed by Canadian a major source of North America’s Memorial Chair and Professor conservation groups, 25 Canadian freshwater and home to the some of Ecology at the University of First Nations, and more than 75 of the planet’s largest populations Alberta, Edmonton, said: “We are major businesses with annual sales of wolf, grizzly bear, and woodland losing so many of the world’s great of USD $30 billion. caribou. forests, despite the best efforts of For more information: Canada’s boreal forest is also conservationists. Canada’s boreal www.borealcanada.ca; the single-largest terrestrial carbon forest offers what may be our last, www.borealbirds.org; storehouse in the world, making it best chance to do things right, but www.interboreal.org Inuit and islanders join forces on climate change

change and a plan to inform and warn the world of the dramatic effects of climate change in their regions. Taito Nakalevu, climate change officer with the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, based in Samoa, said: “Together, we have identified common problems as a consequence of climate change, and our communities are suffering. “We insist that those countries that are causing the problems have a responsibility to those whose lives are being affected.” Participants from the Arctic and SIDS pointed to similar climate change effects, including the relo-

TH cation of communities as well as changes in marine resources on

nthony B. RA B. A nthony which communities depend. Patricia Cochran, chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, said: “In the Arctic, we know that melting ice and sea level rise are EDIT: © WWF-Canon / © C R EDIT: going to affect everyone on the Mangrove Cay, embers of Many Strong Overseas Countries and Territories planet, especially people in Small Chetumal Bay Voices, an alliance of arctic Association of the European Union, Island Developing States. This Belize Mcommunities and Small Island including Greenland and French is why we have chosen to work Developing States (SIDS) who are Polynesia. together — amplifying our voices pressing for significant reductions The Many Strong Voices in global negotiations.” in greenhouse gas emissions, met strategy includes plans to push For more information go to: in Belize City to prepare a five-year for deep cuts in greenhouse gas www.manystrongvoices.org action plan. emissions through the United The participants came from 16 Nations Framework Convention John Crump countries and regions, including on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It Polar Issues Coordinator Alaska, the Caribbean, Fiji, also includes an assessment of the UNEP/GRID-Arendal (Ottawa) the Canadian Arctic, and the ability of SIDS to adapt to climate [email protected] WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 News New rules needed for the Arctic ew and better rules are urgently

needed to counter the current Ar cti rush for arctic territories and c C irc N le resources. USA WWF believes that without Nort West improved international coopera- Passage tion between arctic nations, one of the world’s most fragile regions, Russian claimed territory which also plays a critical role in stabilizing the planet’s climate, could face irreparable damage. Dr Neil Hamilton, director of CANADA North the WWF International Arctic Pole RUSSIA Programme, said: “We urgently need sound international cooperation between arctic nations to guarantee that the region’s development is sustainable. “The political and symbolic gestures of recent expeditions asserting territorial claims and GREENLAND rights to unrestricted exploitation (DENMARK) lead to nowhere and could revive NORWAY conflicts that have affected the region in the past.” Agreed borders 200-mile line (from coast) Unsettled borders A Russian miniature submarine planted the Russian flag beneath the arctic sea ice on 31 July in an tion of potentially vast reserves of ensure the implementation of effort to claim 1.2 million square minerals, oil, and gas, the conven- sustainable development regimes kilometres of the polar seabed tion is not sufficient. UNCLOS and help the Arctic adapt to the and the potential mineral wealth merely provides the framework severe impact of climate change trapped within. in which region-specific plans can and ultimately stabilize the world’s WWF believes that ratification be developed, and provides no climate.” of the UN Convention on the Law mechanisms for the conservation WWF warns that the current of the Sea (UNCLOS) — the UN of biodiversity or management of race to find new sources of oil and body regulating these activities — environments under the stress of gas in the Arctic will only lead to by all arctic nations is a necessary climate change. increased global warming and condition for management of the “We need a new approach, which climate change. Arctic. However, with the melting includes thinking about a solid of arctic sea ice, which allows the Arctic Treaty and a multilateral Marian Schoen opening of new shipping routes governance body,” Dr Hamilton Head of Public Affairs and makes possible the explora- added. “This is the only way to [email protected]

World Environment Day focuses on polar regions WF joined international Massoumeh Ebtekar from Iran, of the greenhouse gas methane human rights and envi- UN Environment Program are stored in the tundra. We risk Wronmental advocates in a (UNEP) director Achim Steiner, that this will be released if the round table discussion as part of UN International Panel on temperature in the Arctic increases the UN World Environment Day Climate Change (IPCC) leader Dr as much as predicted by the UN celebrations hosted by Tromso, in Rajendra K. Pachauri, and former IPCC report. We have to act fast.” the Norwegian Arctic. leader of the Inuit Circumpolar WWF is urging world govern- The theme for this year’s World Conference and winner of the ments, and primarily those of the Environment Day was: “Melting Norwegian Sophie Prize Sheila EU, US, and other G8 countries, Ice — A Hot Topic”. Watt Cloutier at the discussion. to commit to a new, ambitious, Igor Chestin, CEO of WWF- Chestin emphasised the impor- and binding agreement to succeed Russia, joined Nobel Peace prize tance of Russia’s participation the Kyoto agreement in 2012. winner archbishop Desmond in the global efforts on climate Nigel Allan Tutu, human rights activist change. He said: “Large amounts [email protected] News WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 Climate change threatens Siberian forests n international team of scientists believes that catastrophic Aforest fire outbreaks in Siberia are happening more frequently because of climate change. In the extreme fire year of 2003, smoke plumes from Central Siberia were so huge that they caused air pollution in the United States. Professor Heiko Balzter of the Department of Geography at the University of Leicester said: “Last century a typical forest in Siberia had about 100 years after a fire to recover before it burned again. But new observations by Russian scientist Dr Kharuk have shown that fire now returns more frequently, about every 65 years.” At the same time, annual temperatures in Siberia have risen by almost two degrees Celsius — almost twice as fast as the global average. Warming of the region has become even faster since 1990. onset and end of the growing pattern that scientists call the Arctic Global warming has already been season. From 1982 to 1999 almost Oscillation. linked to warmer, earlier springs. all Siberian ecosystems showed an He added: “Planet Earth is always A similar trend was observed in earlier onset of spring. more complicated than you think. Siberia. Professor Balzter said: “The The lengthening of the growing The scientists observed 18 years changes in the timing of spring and season that has been described in of satellite images of the region, also in fire occurrence are linked to the scientific literature is a non- and estimated the timing of the temperature changes and a climate linear phenomenon. It is influ- Higher costs and delays for gas pipeline mperial Oil Ltd. announced in press release to quash rumours that the Joint Review Panel to acknowl- May that the estimated cost of the Canadian government would edge that oil sands developments Ithe Mackenzie Gas Project — a contemplate becoming an equity in Alberta would be a significant proposed 1220-kilometre pipeline partner to salvage the project. He market for Mackenzie gas. The oil along Canada’s Mackenzie Valley to also reiterated that the Canadian sands are one of the most green- connect northern onshore natural government has “… absolutely house-gas-intensive sources of oil gas fields with North American no interest and no role in directly because they use natural gas to markets — had grown to CAD subsidizing a private sector produce the heat needed to release $16.2 billion, from $7.5 billion just project.” bitumen from the sand. two years ago. Pipeline consortium The consortium partners must WWF will argue that green- partners Conoco Phillips and Royal now decide if the project is economic house gas emissions from oil sands Dutch Shell PLC reportedly told without government intervention. development must be included in the Canadian government that the They must also consider whether the environmental impact assess- project is ‘effectively dead’ unless it Mackenzie gas can be competitive ment for the pipeline. provides financial assistance. with alternatives such as liquefied The full record of all public TransCanada Pipeline Ltd., natural gas (LNG) terminals and hearings can be found at www. which has bankrolled consortium coalbed methane when it reaches ngps.nt.ca/ partner Aboriginal Pipeline Group, the market in 2014 at the earliest. said it would turn its attention to Meanwhile, the Joint Review Rob Powell other projects. Panel environmental impact assess- Director, Mackenzie River Basin Canada’s Minister of Indian ment hearings into the proposed WWF-Canada Affairs and Northern Development, pipeline continue. WWF-Canada’s [email protected] Jim Prentice, was forced to issue a Pete Ewins and Julia Langer urged WWF arCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 News 9 Climate change threatens Siberian forests Tracking polar bears Boreal forest, Yamal. in Beaufort Sea WF has donated fi ve satellite While tagging and monitoring collars to the US Geological polar bears for the 2007 fi eld season, WSurvey (USGS) Alaska Science the USGS research team noted that Center. The collars will be used for temperatures were unusually warm studies to fi ll key information gaps for spring (up to 0˚C) and there on how polar bears utilise sea ice was a near-complete absence of during different times of year. multi-year ice along the shoreline. The USGS has been following a The decline of sea ice in this number of female bears in the region region is suspected to be the since 1985 to help understand their cause of a decline in average body movements and habitat use. weight of some polar bears and an With the additional collars, the increase in cub mortality in recent USGS team expects to learn more years. According to the World about polar bear use of sea ice Conservation Union’s (IUCN) and selection of ice type, as well as Polar Bear Specialist Group, the examine habitat needs both on ice southern Beaufort Sea sub-popu- and along the shore. lation is one of the fi ve polar bear The research will particularly sub-populations — of a total of 19 focus on understanding habitat around the Arctic— in decline. relationships and developing The WWF-Canon Polar Bear CrEDIT: Bryan & Cherry alexander Photography, www.arcticphoto.co.uk alexander Photography, Bryan & Cherry CrEDIT: predictive models of seasonal polar Tracker will soon be following the enced by feedbacks between the bear distribution relative to sea southern Beaufort Sea polar bears atmosphere and the forest, which ice extent and composition. This online at www.panda.org/polarbears. responds to rising greenhouse gas information will provide science You can currently follow the bears by levels and higher temperatures.” for conservation efforts and help downloading the Google Earth fi le at The research is published in the scientists and managers better www.panda.org/polarbears/ge Journal of Climate, 1 August 2007. understand the effects of global- scale events including habitat loss Nigel Allan Source: University of Leicester and climate change. [email protected] New nature reserve for Russian Arctic new nature reserve has been WWF assisted in the creation where an idol depicting the seven- approved for Vaigach Island in of the nature reserve, which took faced Vesako (the head of all Nenets A the western Russian Arctic by two years to complete. It is hoped deities) is surrounded by hundreds the Nenets Autonomous District that the new protected area status of small wood and stone idols. administration. will help protect the island from The new 2,430 square kilome- increasing industrial development Tatiana Baeva tres nature reserve will help protect in the region. Communication Offi cer threatened arctic species such as Oleg Sutkaitis, project coor- Barents Sea Ecoregional Project, polar bears, Atlantic walrus and, dinator of WWF’s Barents Sea WWF-Russia white-beak loon, as well as one of Ecoregion office, said: “We are [email protected] the region’s largest mass nestings satisfi ed that one of the most valu- of waterfowls. able places in the Russian Arctic is The island is surrounded by the now under protection. Barents and Kara seas and its coastal “We hope to continue our waters are frequented by a number success and develop more protected Novaya Zemlya of marine mammals including areas in the Nenets Autonomous Kara Sea Atlantic walrus, grey seal, harbour District.” porpoise, bottlenose dolphin, Vaigach Island is also cultur- humpback whale, northern blue ally significant for the indigenous whale, northern fi n whale, and sei Nenets people who have visited Barents Sea Vaigach Island whale. In recent years the popula- the island for thousands of years to tions of many of these species have worship their gods. The main Nenets become unstable. sacred site is on Cape Dyakonov,

Nenets Autonomous District 10 WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07

not rain and that makes the ice on lakes and rivers unstable. This has made traditional roads over the ice dangerous, causing accidents when we try to get to the herds. Two of my nephews went through the ice where it usually should have been safe at that time of year. One of them nearly drowned, but luckily they both came from it unharmed.

Ice covers the food The changes in the weather make the conditions for reindeer herding difficult. The snow gets icy from the rain so that the reindeer cannot get through to the lichen — the food they depend on to survive in the winter. We can no longer predict the weather like we could before. In the beginning of the 1990s this was part of the reason why reindeer owners lost 90 percent of their herds. Now we have to feed the reindeer in the winter. It is a long way to go to bring the food to them, Sámi reindeer and it is, of course, very expensive. However, it is the only choice we have if we want to keep herding. Still, reindeer numbers are going down. We don’t know why but herder sees believe climate change to be the most probable cause. Where we previously used to get snow in early October, we uncertain future now sometimes have to wait until Christmas. The snow also disap- lav Mathis Eira O lav C R EDIT: pears earlier every year. I used to Climate change hang out reindeer meat to dry is beginning to Olav Mathis Eira has been a reindeer herder his whole in April. Now I have to do it in have an affect life and lives in Lavangen municipality in northern February to avoid the flies. on the livelihood Norway. He is worried about changes in the climate These are some of the reasons of Sámi reindeer that climate changes have become herders, like Olav that he has noticed over the past 20 years and the an important topic to the Sámi Mathis Eira, in impact they will have on his family’s livelihood and people. With the warmer climate northern Norway traditional way of life. comes more insects, especially mosquitoes and flies. The reindeer My name is Olav Mathis Eira, a The number of storms and do not like insects, which is pushing reindeer herder from northern the amount of precipitation is them further up in the mountains Norway. I am 50 years old and have increasing. It rains when it should where food is scarcer. ➤ 15 worked with reindeer my whole life. I have around 500 reindeer. My family has had this as a livelihood since the 1400s. I am married and have three sons. During the last 20 years I have observed various changes in the climate. The most urgent change for us, the Sámi people who live off reindeer, has been the winter rains. Rain in the winter is normally very rare this far North. In the old days Olav hopes that this used to happen only every 30 one of his three years, and we had ancient methods sons will be able of foretelling the weather. Now this to continue the is no longer possible. family tradition Mathis Eira O lav C R EDIT: Brown bear, Katmai National Park, Alaska

WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 News 11

Kamchatka-Bering The Kamchatka and Bering Sea ecoregions form one of the planet’s last great wilderness areas — an area teeming Sea Ecoregions

CREDIT: © WWF-Canon / Kevin SCHAFER tretching north of the Pacific in the world, the second largest brown bear non-target species, or bycatch; pollution, Ocean between the US and Russia, subspecies in the world — with a stable shipwrecks, and oil spills; and the intro- the Bering Sea washes the northern population of about 15–16,000 animals, duction of non-native species such as rats, shores of the Kamchatka Peninsula, representing about five percent of the which can devastate island seabird colonies. Chukotka, north-western Alaska, global population — and the world’s largest Environmental changes such as global Sand the Commander and Aleutian Islands. wintering grounds for the rare Stellar’s sea warming and the shrinking of sea ice The Kamchatka Peninsula is alive with eagle. also represent a dire threat to the marine volcanic activity. Over 30 active volcanoes The environment has sustained ecosystem. — many of which are listed as UNESCO hundreds of hardy coastal communities In Kamchatka, the growing threats of World Heritage sites — spew ash and lava that have lived in the region for thousands poaching, overfishing, gold and platinum that provide important nutrients and of years. The traditional knowledge of mining, and oil and gas exploration on the make the ecosystems so rich. The famous these native peoples is widely recognised as continental shelf could lead to the rapid “Valley of the Geysers”, which was partially an essential component to understanding demise of this wilderness area. destroyed by a mudslide in June 2007, is sustainable use of these ecoregions’ excep- Margaret Williams one of the five tional marine life and terrestrial resources. Director, WWF Bering Sockeye salmon, Kamchatka largest geyser fields Sea-Kamchatka Ecoregion Programme in the world. Threats [email protected] The Bering Sea The combination of an altered physical ecoregion is home environment and greatly increased human Laura Williams CREDIT: David Gordon/Pacific Environment to more than 450 exploitation of natural resources over the Senior Advisor, WWF Bering Sea- species of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, last century has caused significant damage Kamchatka Ecoregion Programme 200 species of birds, and 25 species of in parts of the ecoregions, while other areas [email protected] marine mammals. This natural abundance remain pristine and can serve as a basis for of sea life supports the last-remaining great long term wilderness conservation. ocean fishery in North America. Over half In recent decades there has been a of all fish caught in US waters and about sharp decline of Steller sea lions, northern one-third of Russia’s catch come from the fur seals, various seabirds, and a number Bering Sea. of fish stocks. In the western Bering Sea, The Kamchatka Peninsula boasts a Pacific walrus populations also are severely number of unique species, including an depleted. Many factors may be contributing endemic species of snow sheep. It is also to these declines, including illegal fishing, home to some of the largest wild reindeer overfishing, and the incidental deaths of EDIT: © WWF-Canon/Kevin SCH A FE R WWF-Canon/Kevin © C R EDIT: Wrangel Island

Barrow

C H U K C H I S E A SpecieS1 oF THe BeriNg WWF arCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 SeA ecoregioN

BroWN BeAr Kamchatka has the highest density of brown bears in the world and the local subspecies is second only in Chukotka Peninsula size to the Kodiak bear in alaska.

Seward Peninsulua

A S E K St. Lawrence Island T S O H K O

Kamchatka St. Matthew Island Peninsula B E R I N G S E A M a xim um Commander Islands s ea i ce ex te nt

SAlmoN Great Circle Route Pribilof Islands Kuril Lake, at the southern tip of Around 7,000 ships the Kamchatka Peninsula, is the travel across the Bering Bristol Bay largest sockeye salmon-spawning Sea every year. lake in the world. almost one- quarter of Pacifi c salmon are from Kamchatka where they spend their adult life before migrating up the rivers of alaska and russia to spawn. * M/V Selendang Ayu oil spill (2004) 1,270,883 litres

0 200 400 km A l e u t i a n I * http://www.wildsalmoncenter.org/programs/kamchatka/ s l a n d s ** http://www.habitat.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/kbrr/coolkbayinfo/kbec_cd/html/ecosys/estuarin/eelgrass.htm

Map: Ketill Berger/Film & Form Wrangel Island

Barrow

C H U K C H I S E WWF arCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 A 1

polAr BeAr There are around 2,000 polar bears in the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea areas. Polar bears are under increasing pressure as the sea ice continues to decline. Villages in northeastern russia are seeing a surge of polar bears. Chukotka Peninsula

Seward Peninsulua

A S E K St. Lawrence Island T S O H K O

SpecTAcleD eiDer The spectacled eider has declined 94 percent since the 1970s. The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is a key Kamchatka molting area for the spectacled B St. Matthew Island eider and one of four locations Peninsula E R I that the US government have N G designated as a critical habitat. S E A M ax copepoD im um Commander Islands s Copepods and other ea i inverterbrate are the main ce ex food source for salmon and te nt are the basis of a complex food web that leads all the way up to polar bears and Great Circle Route whales. Pribilof Islands Around 7,000 ships travel across the Bering Bristol Bay Sea every year.

M/V Selendang Ayu oil spill (2004) 1,270,883 litres

A eel grASS 0 200 400 km l e u t Izembek Lagoon has one of the world’s largest i a eel grass beds. almost the entire population of n I s l a n d s Pacifi c black brant geese (150,000 birds) stop at the lagoon during their migration from Baja California to alaska and Canada to feed on the eel grass. ** Challenges facing the Kamchatka and Bering Sea Ecoregion and WWF’s solutions The marine environment in the Bering Sea is highly produc- ence users and other conservation organisations to develop tive. It harbours critical feeding and breeding grounds for sound, long-term conservation strategies that will endure the marine mammals and seabirds, important nursery areas political, social, and economic events of the new millennium. for US and Russian fisheries, and many diverse cultural and Our understanding of and concern for the lives of indigenous economic resources. peoples keep us focused on building a sustainable balance WWF is working in partnership with Russian and US between humans and nature. coastal people, scientists, biologists, hunters, fishers, subsist-

Mitigating the impact of climate control Establish sustainable fishing practices CHALLENGE: Destructive fishing practices along with illegal fishing and over- CHALLENGE: The loss of the multi-year arctic sea ice resulting fishing are depleting some fish stocks. Non-commercial and non-target species from warming air and sea temperatures is having dramatic are being caught as bycatch, and vital marine habitats are being destroyed. impacts on marine and coastal environments, including changes in marine productivity, shifts in distribution of fish, increased SOLUTION: Work with governments and industry to track the illegal trade in shoreline erosion, and loss of habitat for ice-dependent species. marine fish products, stop overfishing, and enforce sustainable fishing practices; SOLUTION: Research the biological and physical changes introduce incentives to reduce the bycatch of marine mammals and sea birds. induced by climate change in critical habitats, work with scientists and communities to develop adaptive management strategies that will bolster ecosystem resiliency to coming change, empower residents of the region to become active advocates and leaders to effect change in energy policies and carbon dioxide emissions. EDIT: © WWF-Canon/Kevin SCH A FE R WWF-Canon/Kevin © C R EDIT: EDIT: © WWF-Canon/Kevin SCH A FE R WWF-Canon/Kevin © C R EDIT: Higher standard in shipping safety Protecting habitats from offshore oil CHALLENGE: Each year, 7,000 vessels navigate the Great Circle Route and gas development between Asia and North America. Many of these traverse Unimak Pass in CHALLENGE: America’s fish basket, Bristol Bay, once protected under the Aleutian Islands, a marine wildlife superhighway. Navigating some of the US Congressional moratorium on offshore drilling, may now be world’s stormiest waters, the risk of accidents posed by these vessels is a available for lease sales for oil and gas development. Other areas major threat to the region’s fish and wildlife. Oil spills and rats escaping such as the Chukchi Sea, home to the polar bear, and the western from ships can permanently destroy the marine and island ecosystems. Kamchatka Shelf, a critical marine salmon habitat, are being targeted SOLUTION: Collaborate with local and national governments and engage for development. An industries to help prevent shipping accidents and associated oil spills; oil spill in these areas introduce necessary equipment and other preventive measures; develop would have devastating safety policies and impacts with little implement best chance of a complete practices to reduce recovery. pollution brought SOLUTION: Introduce in by ships; prevent legislation to the introduction of permanently protect invasive non-native places such as Bristol species; and create Bay and the Chukchi EDIT: Statoil C R EDIT: protected areas Sea, and provide around critical marine leadership in calling for best practices and creating marine protected habitats to move areas in planned areas for oil exploration in the Okhotsk Sea‚ work to shipping routes out of A laska Department of Fish and Game develop innovative approaches for international oil and gas companies. migratory corridors. EDIT: C R EDIT:

WWF is the world’s largest and most experienced independent For more information please contact WWF- Russia Kamchatka and Bering Sea conservation organisation, with almost five million supporters Programme and a global network active in 90 countries. WWF’s mission is WWF-US Anchorage Field Office Sopochnaya St., 13, Suite 4 to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and 406 G Street, Suite 303 Yelizovo, Kamchatka krai to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. Anchorage, AK 99501 684000 Russia WWF continues to be known as World Wildlife Fund in Canada Tel: (907) 279-5504 Tel: +7 41531 7 17 67 and the United States of America. Fax: (907) 2795509 Tel/Fax: + 7 4152 411 945 An ivory gull on Alexandra Land, Russia.

WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 15

10 ➤ Higher tree line The tree line climbs higher year by year. I believe it increases more year by year, and the forest down here gets thicker. We observe new birds and insects, which do not have a name in Sámi. Parasites that normally die during winter, survive. My neigh- bour lost 70 reindeers this way. We have seen years with poor grazing before, but from the mid- 1980s there were several years of inadequate grazing, something which happened again in the beginning of the 1990s, when we lost so

much of the stock. Maria Gavrilo C R EDIT: Since the start of the 1990s, reindeer owners have pretty much agreed that what we see now is completely unnatural. There are no long periods of frost anymore. This Russian ice refuge also makes the big migration of the reindeer in spring more difficult. The numbers of losses during this period are increasing. In the beginning the weather for ivory gulls changes caused enormous problems for us. We were thinking An extensive survey of the Russian Arctic identi- about how we should survive in fied a small island surrounded by heavy sea ice this business. Where would we as providing a sanctuary for the world’s ivory gull move? It causes instability in our lifestyle. But we are adjusting by population. Maria Gavrilo of the Russian Arctic and moving the reindeer earlier, and no Antarctic Research Institute reports. longer keep to the old traditions of when this is to be done. We have Despite rising concern over its population is believed to be located, taught our reindeer to eat pellets population status, the ivory gull took place in the 1990s. despite how expensive they are. remains one of the least-known To fill in some of the knowl- After all, we have ascertained that seabird species in the world. edge gaps, the Russian Arctic the climate changes are inevitable. Observed climate changes in the and Antarctic Research Institute They are already upon us. Arctic along with a potential build surveyed ivory gull nesting grounds Now a research project, Ealat, up of toxic chemicals in the birds in Russia, as part of a wider survey a cooperation between several suggest that the species may be in of such grounds in the Norwegian organisations and research insti- trouble. Populations have prob- and Russian Arctic. The surveys tutes, amongst them the World ably been declining in several parts formed part of Russian-Norwegian Reindeer Herders Union, is trying of its range for a long time, but environmental cooperation in the to map out how climate change will global data to support this has been Barents Sea region in summer affect reindeer herding. lacking. 2006. Maybe we have to turn the Recent studies in the Canadian In Russia, ivory gulls are known whole cycle around in the future? Arctic found a dramatic decline in to breed in around 50 colonies If it rains when it is not supposed ivory gull breeding populations. on high-latitude islands and to rain we might have to stay by the This led delegates at a BirdLife archipelagos stretching from the coast during spring and summer International forum to discuss the north-western Barents Sea to the instead of on the plains. need to re-evaluate the species’ eastern Kara Sea. The survey team I have three sons. One of them conservation status in the World planned to check the most impor- will hopefully keep to the family Conservation Union’s (IUCN) tant of these colonies in three tradition of reindeer herding. But Red List of Threatened Species. different areas: Severnaya Zemlya it is no longer a good life. It is an However, lack of data from Russia, Archipelago, Franz-Josef Land insecure future. Norway (Svalbard), and Denmark Archipelago, and Victoria Island. (Greenland) — where ivory gulls This ambitious plan to survey a Olav Mathis Eira is a Climate Witness also breed — has made it difficult vast and remote area in the short who provided his testimonial to the to scientifically ground such a reas- arctic breeding season and under WWF Climate Witness Programme. sessment. The only surveys of ivory difficult conditions required close His testimonial and that of other gull numbers ever conducted in cooperation with the Russian Arctic Climate Witnesses from around the Russia, for example, where almost Border Guard network, which world can be found at: www.panda.org/ two-thirds of the global breeding provided two of their helicopters ➤ 16 climatewitness Humpback whale.

1 Whales WWF arCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07

15 ➤ to conduct the aerial surveys. foraging conditions for the gulls, The team fl ew 4,850 kilometres which feed on sympagic (species during the 13-day survey. Dense that live permanently under polar fog and poor visibility seriously sea ice) fi sh and crustaceans. Most affected planned aerial surveys, but of the birds were breeding in close the team nevertheless managed to proximity to human settlements visit the principal sites in all three and managed to survive human areas. impacts and stray dogs. The first stop was Domashny Overall, the 2006 ivory gull Island — a tiny isle within the Sedov breeding season was favourable, Archipelago (part of Severnaya especially in the eastern Kara Sea Zemlya Archipelago) where ivory where a very high breeding density gulls have been recorded as breeding and large clutch sizes were observed. since the 1930s. A direct total count The team reported the highest-ever of incubating birds provided the percentage of three-egg clutches, highest-ever recorded figure of earlier hatching dates, and a greater 1,890 breeding pairs (in the 1990s, body mass both in breeding adults the population fl uctuated between and chicks at hatching. Disturbed, hungry, and lost 166 and 1,100 pairs). The northeast Barents Sea and Another four occupied colonies eastern Kara Sea remain the main – climate change impacts on whales were found on the islands of Franz- breeding area for the ivory gull at Josef Land, with between 3 and 450 the global level — and the impor- breeding pairs each. tance of this region is growing the Arctic’s whales Victoria Island, the westernmost given the recent ice cover retreat in are facing increasing point of the survey, was reported other breeding grounds such as the as an important breeding area for Atlantic sector of the Arctic. threats from climate ivory gulls in the 1960s, with the However, the gulls’ tendency change, according to a largest colony of 750 pairs observed to aggregate in large numbers new report published in the mid-1990s (see Arctic Bulletin for breeding — as evidenced by 03.95). No breeding ivory gulls the record number of pairs on by wwF and the were observed in 2006, however Domashny Island, which accounted whale and Dolphin to the survey team mapped almost for around 20 percent of the esti- Conservation society 900 old nest bases and holes. mated Russian population — also (wDCs). Joanna Benn Altogether, the team obtained indicates that the species is highly information for seven breeding vulnerable to various threats that reports. colonies with almost 3,000 breeding may impact on the population pairs, including two colonies level. The impact of climate change on reported by personnel of weather Ongoing monitoring and whales, dolphins, and porpoises is stations. research of the ivory gull in this key growing. And with climate change The survey confirmed esti- area is crucially important in order impacts currently being greatest in mates made in the mid-1990s that to develop a conservation strategy polar regions, the Arctic’s cetaceans as many as 10,000 pairs, out of with a circumpolar perspective. are particularly vulnerable. 14,000 worldwide, breed in Russia This work is ongoing within the According to a report released in good years. It also indicated that Arctic Council’s Conservation for by WWF and WDCS, Whales in in Russia, there is no clear trend Fauna and Flora seabird expert Hot Water — The Impact of A in overall population number, but group. Changing Climate on Whales, that the number of breeding Maria Gavrilo Dolphins, and Porpoises, cetaceans pairs fl uctuates from year Research Scientist that rely on polar, icy waters for to year depending on Arctic and Antarctic their habitat and food resources environmental condi- Research Institute, — such as belugas, narwhals, and tions. Russia bowhead whales, which are perma- The most obvious nently resident in the Arctic — are environmental differ- likely to be affected by reduced sea ence between the ice cover. In the case of bowhead three survey areas was whales in the western Arctic, one ice conditions: there study identifi ed signifi cant reduc- was no sea ice around tions in ice cover in eight of the 16 Victoria Island, relatively assessed regions of seasonal impor- light ice cover in the Franz-Josef tance to this species. Land area, and a vast area of pack In addition to the direct loss of ice in the eastern Kara Sea around ice-edge habitat, a warmer Arctic Domashny Island. with less ice and more exposed This difference is believed to ocean may cause more temperate explain the observed distribution species to expand their normal of breeding ivory gulls. Good sea distributions northward. This could ice cover probably provided better result in changes in food webs and WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 Whales 17

to be very vulnerable to predicted changes.” WWF and WCDS are urging governments to cut carbon dioxide global emissions by at least 50 percent by the middle of this century. The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showed it was possible to stop global warming if the world’s emissions start to decline before 2015. However it is clear that changes in our climate are already occurring, and will continue to occur in the future even under the most optimistic

lexander Photography, www.arcticphoto.co.uk A lexander Photography, predictions for emission reduction. Disturbed, hungry, and lost It is therefore critically important that climate change considerations – climate change impacts on whales be incorporated into conservation plans, assessments, and strategies for EDIT: Bryan & Cherry C R EDIT: cetaceans. WWF and WDCS released potentially alter any competitive report, says: “This will result in the Whales in Hot Water report at the interactions between species. much greater risks from oil and recent meeting of the International Whale species that currently chemical spills and entanglement Whaling Commission (IWC), held migrate into arctic waters to feed in fishing nets, worse acoustic in Anchorage, Alaska, where it may also fare poorly if their prey disturbance, and more collisions generated significant press atten- populations are reduced or have between whales and ships.” tion and interest from many of the moved outside of feeding grounds. Other potential impacts on arctic 77 governments than are members In the case of the last 300 or so whales from the projected impacts of the IWC. Mexico, South Africa, endangered North Atlantic right of climate change include: ocean UK, Austria, India, Mali, Australia, whales, climate change could be acidification due to absorption Senegal, Argentina, Costa Rica, the final nail in the coffin: calf of growing quantities of carbon Ecuador, and Spain all made strong survival has been directly related dioxide; an increased susceptibility interventions during the meeting to the effects of climate variability to diseases; and reduced reproduc- about the importance of addressing on prey abundance. tive success, body condition, and climate change, and the IWC agreed In addition, as sea ice cover survival rates. to hold a scientific workshop to decreases, there will be more human Mark Simmonds, international further investigate the issue. activities — such as commercial director of science at WCDS, says: For more information, download shipping, commercial fishing, oil, “Whales, dolphins, and porpoises the report at: www.panda.org/arctic/ gas and mining exploration and have some capacity to adapt to publications development and military activi- their changing environment, but ties — in previously untouched the climate is now changing at Wendy Elliott areas of the Arctic. such a fast pace that it is unclear Manager, Species Wendy Elliott, Species Manager to what they will be able to adjust, WWF Global Species Programme at WWF and lead author of the and we believe many populations [email protected] Whales of Bristol Bay This year the Arctic This year, Anchorage hosted the concern to the people and whales hosted the International annual meeting of the International of the Arctic were given the inter- Whaling Commission (IWC) — national spotlight they deserve. Whaling Commission the international body responsible Of particular relevance to the — and brought inter- for the regulation of whaling and Arctic was the adoption of the new national attention to the conservation of whales. Nearly Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling 80 governments descended on the Quota. The quota granted was a the whales of Alaska’s city and the usual lively debates total of 280 bowhead whales from Bristol Bay. Wendy Elliot, were had between pro- and anti- the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort of the WWF Global whaling factions. Seas stock for the period of 2008– The location of the meeting 2012, shared between the indig- Species Programme, meant that — for the first time enous people of Alaska, US, and reports. in the IWC context — issues of Chukotka, Russia. This quota ➤ 18 Chukchi Sea 1 Whales WWF arCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07

discussed the issue and made an RUSSIA expression of concern about the situation — a powerful message from the world’s largest and most respected collection of whale Will Canada provide what bowheads need? experts. ALASKA WWF also released a report so far Canada has failed outlining the impacts of oil and to take adequate meas- Maximum gas development on Bristol Bay’s sea ice ures to restore bowhead whales in the main Commission extent Bristol Bay meeting, which generated further whale numbers to levels Bering Sea concern among governments from known in pre-commer- all over the world. The report cial whaling days. Pete s was launched at a press confer- Aleutian Island ence attended by local, national, Ewins at wwF-Canada and international journalists, and Ben Wheeler at with speakers including WWF, Jacques whitford envi- ➤ 18 marks a victory for the indigenous a representative from the Bering peoples concerned. In previous Sea Fishermen’s Association, and a ronmental consultants years, Japan and its allies have local resident of Bristol Bay. report. blocked the passing of a quota, In the main Commission stating they would only support it meeting, the minister for the UK, The bowhead whale is the world’s if Japan were granted a quota for Barry Gardiner, spoke out strongly longest-lived mammal species, their coastal whaling activities — on the issue, and was backed up with adults recorded older than 200 which are entirely commercial in by Mexico. These important state- years. Hunted to near-extinction nature and thus banned under the ments send a strong message to by the early 1900s, this remark- current international moratorium the US government that the inter- able and iconic gentle giant is on all commercial whaling. national community is watching superbly adapted to sea ice condi- The moratorium was established — and will not support oil and gas tions — which of course are now to prevent the loss of many whale development that could to lead to rapidly altering due to global species that had been pushed to the the extinction of one of Alaska’s climate change linked to fossil fuel brink of extinction by unsustain- whale populations, as well as combustion. able commercial whaling activities. threaten the area’s delicate biodiver- Population status information However, subsistence whaling by sity, commercial and sport hunting on Canada’s eastern arctic bowhead communities dependent on whale fisheries, and natural resources whale population (shared with products for nutritional reasons is that scores of Alaskan indigenous western Greenland) is still unclear, allowed. peoples rely on for food. mainly due to inadequate funding Besides whaling, many issues The meeting concluded with for government research efforts. of conservation importance to continuing animosity between Inuit knowledge and scientific whales were discussed in various pro- and anti-whaling govern- research results point to steadily committee meetings held prior ments, with many pro-whaling increasing numbers, and there are to the main meeting, such as governments refusing to partici- probably a few thousand whales the Scientific Committee and pate in critical votes. As this today. However, numbers are still Conservation Committee, as impasse continues, more and more well below historic, pre-whaling well as in the main Commission whales are being killed through levels. Accordingly, the World meeting itself. loopholes in the moratorium such Conservation Union (IUCN) lists One important paper presented as ‘scientific whaling’, with Japan the population as ‘Endangered’, by WWF to the Scientific proposing to increase its scientifi c and Canada’s SARA currently lists Committee outlined the extremely whaling catch even further and to it as ‘Threatened’. significant threats posed to the include additional species such as Despite major efforts over the whales of Alaska’s Bristol Bay by the endangered bowhead whale. past 30 years by Inuit, scientists, and the proposed leasing of the area for All the meat from Japan’s scien- organisations like WWF, Canada oil and gas exploration and devel- tific whaling catch is sold on the continues to approve industrial opment. commercial market. decisions and military ventures Bristol Bay is home to 16 whale WWF will continue to work in the bowhead’s silent icy waters, species, including bowhead whales, with governments in our efforts to without any satisfactory regional blue whales, fi n whales, sei whales, resolve this impasse and turn the marine plans for this species or its humpback whales, and sperm IWC into a forum that is truly able essential habitats. Major research whales. Most importantly however, to deliver signifi cant conservation conducted in Canada, the US, Bristol Bay contains critical habitat benefi ts for the whales, dolphins, Russia, and Europe has shown that for the world’s most endangered and porpoises of the Arctic and most of these industrial develop- whale population, the Eastern the world. ments, and other activities they North Pacific right whale. This Wendy Elliot trigger, cause adverse impacts on population is so small that the loss Manager, Species arctic whale species and bring high of just one cow or calf could spell WWF Global Species Programme risks to sensitive arctic ecosystems. disaster. The Scientifi c Committee [email protected] The long-term Recovery WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 Whales 19 Will Canada provide what bowheads need? Strategy for Canada’s eastern arctic protection measures. planned and pursued — now. bowhead whale population is also In recent years, Canada and To foreclose such options still not completed, approved, or Greenland have placed satel- by approving further indus- being implemented, as required lite radio transmitters on some trial projects before completing under Canada’s Species At Risk Act bowheads, generating a crucial new species conservation and protec- (SARA). A stunning low priority understanding of their movements tion measures would clearly risk persists in the federal government and habitat use. Although these driving bowheads into decline once for arctic marine mammal research data are not yet fully analysed or again, and thus contravene the very and conservation initiatives. This published, they do confirm that purpose of international commit- is very puzzling, given the public’s bowheads are dependent on many ments such as the Convention clear concern nowadays that elected of the 21 identified areas. The data on Biological Diversity, as well as leaders walk their environmental also identify other crucial areas Canada’s Species At Risk Act. talk. such as the heavy summer ice in At this point WWF and Inuit Is this imbalanced approach Prince Regent Inlet and Gulf of partners remain optimistic that acceptable to Canadians or Boothia to the northwest of Baffin these conservation planning steps other nations, especially from Island. will now be taken as a high priority, a G8 country still claiming to be Looking ahead it is now very thereby avoiding forced solutions committed to world-class ‘sustain- clear that based on the good infor- via legal actions. This would be in ability’ and balanced long-term mation and analyses available, the interests of bowhead whales development? the eastern arctic bowhead whale and of Inuit desires to continue WWF believes not. The organi- population can continue to recover with a sustainable traditional hunt sation recently completed a two- steadily — but only provided this for this very important species. year project to map suitable habi- network of confirmed key marine Canada needs to ensure that tats for bowhead whales so that habitats is protected. Pete Ewins adequate habitat protection measures for high value With so many changes and Director, Species Conservation protection for and critical areas can then be prior- future uncertainties arising from WWF-Canada the endangered itised, including their identification rapid climate change and its effects, [email protected] and legislated protection as ‘critical on top of progressive industrialisa- bowhead whale is in place ahead of habitat’. tion, shipping, and military activi- Ben Wheeler further industrial The WWF-funded study built ties in bowhead waters, the govern- Senior Marine Biologist development in the on the excellent Inuit Knowledge ments of Canada and Greenland Jacques Whitford environmental consultants eastern Canadian Bowhead Study (IBKS) completed must surely realise that conser- [email protected] under the Nunavut Land Claims vation options must be properly Arctic Agreement, to identify areas known or predicted to be of former or current high importance to these bowheads. By combining information from Inuit Traditional Knowledge, historic whaling data, government aerial transect surveys, and private sector/industry surveys, and analysing oceanographic records for the partial ice cover period (June–October), WWF’s study predicted areas most suitable and important for bowhead whales. Twenty-one such areas were identified in Canadian waters, characterised by three main factors: ice cover; chlorophyll concentra- tions (an index of marine primary biological productivity, i.e., available plankton food for bowheads); and sea-surface temperature. Many of these areas are well-known to Inuit, and comprise some of the strongest candidates for ‘critical habitat’ designation and firm EDIT: USFSW / Brad Benter C R EDIT: 20 Climate change WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 Polar bear and walrus refugees in Chukotka bears traveling in late autumn along the shoreline. In October As they often lack the special means for stopping and November 2006, 80 walrus and scaring bears away, the patrol resort to the carcasses were moved to a feeding traditional Chukchi method of raising a spear-like point about ten kilometres north- stick in front of a bear. west from the village.

Polar bears appear Although polar bears can be found on the arctic coast of Chukotka all year round, they are particularly abundant in autumn when they come ashore after a summer of hunting on the sea ice. Pregnant females look for suitable places to den while other bears hunt and scavenge. In late October polar bears began appearing along the coast and on 21 November, after a week-long blizzard, the patrol met bears 16 kilometres northwest of Vankarem. The number of bears increased daily and reached a peak by 3 December, when observers counted 175 bears, 88 of which

Photo: Sergei Kavry Photo: were at the feeding point. The feeding point was very WWF and the village of Vankarem in northeast successful. Although bears still Russia successfully completed a project to manage appeared in the village, they the influx of walruses and polar bears seeking remained at the feeding point for a while and did not appear suddenly refuge on the coast. Dr Andrei Boltunov at the All- in the village. This helped the Russian Research Institute for Nature Protection patrol to monitor and manage and Viktor Nikiforov at WWF-Russia report. the situation. Only a few bears moved further southeast while the The decline of summer sea ice haul-out, WWF and the Vankarem majority stayed close to Vankarem along the coast of northeast Russia residents set up a pilot project called until the sea froze. Many bears has put increasing pressure on the “Polar Bear Patrol” which ran avoided encounters with poachers polar bears, walruses, and people. successfully from October 2006 to and did not become “problem With less sea ice on which to travel, May 2007. The patrol consisted of bears” in coastal villages. rest, and hunt, the polar bears and a team of five experienced hunters, The patrol also engaged in walruses are forced to spend more working under the leadership of awareness-raising activities in the time on land. The people who live local hunter Sergei Kavry. village and kept people updated on in the region must now manage polar bear activity in the area. the increased number of these visi- Largest gathering of Pacific walrus Hunters participating in the tors. The walrus haul-out at Cape project proposed that next year In 2006, the village of Vankarem Vankarem is the biggest and most they split the feeding point to requested support from WWF to western haul-out of Pacific walrus, several sites. This will prevent

A u conserve a unique coastal haul- with roughly 30,000 animals gath- dominant bears from driving the t u m out of Pacific walrus less than one ering there in 2006. younger ones away and into the n p o kilometre from the village and to Each year a number of walruses village looking for food. l ar b resolve conflict situations with are killed in panic stampedes. The ea r m polar bears passing the settlement hunters usually threw the carcasses Collecting data igr at ion each autumn. into the ocean during an annual A system was set up so the patrol Chukchi Sea To monitor the clean-up after the walruses left could collect valuable information polar bears around for their wintering grounds in the on polar bears appearing near the Walrus carcasses Vankarem and Bering Sea. It was proposed that village. WWF provided the patrol are moved here Vankarem for the polar bears m a n a g e t h e instead, the carcasses be used to with portable two-way radios, GPS Walrus haul-out: massive walrus create a “feeding point” for polar receivers, a notebook computer, and A gathering place for more than 30,000 walrus.

Zone where walruss carcusses occur on the shore WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 Climate change/interview 21 Polar bear and walrus refugees in Chukotka The impact of climate searchlights. WWF also paid for use of a tractor for transporting walrus carcasses from Cape Vankarem to the feeding point. change on arctic Polar bear monitoring covered 300 kilometres of coastal area from Cape Shmidta to Nutepelmen village, but the most complete observations were around politics and biology Vankarem. The monitoring provided impressive results and revealed that on the arctic coast Dr Karin Lochte, professor for biological oceanog- of Chukotka, polar bears are most raphy at the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences vulnerable and easily available for at the University of Kiel, Germany spoke to the poachers in a comparatively short period — from the moment they WWF International Arctic Programme’s Nigel appear on the shore in November Allan about what we need to do, to understand until the coastal waters freeze in and adapt to the impact that climate change is early December. In this period, having on the biological production of the Arctic effective measures for preventing poaching and human-polar bear Ocean. conflicts can be undertaken. Nigel Allan: What Delegation visits changes are we seeing in In March 2007, Vankarem village the biological production was visited by a delegation of repre- of the Arctic Ocean as a sentatives and experts from WWF- result of climate change? Russia, WWF-US, the All-Russian Research Institute for Nature Karin Lochte: We know Protection, Chukotka branch of we will have changes in the Pacific Research Fishery Center, biological productivity in US Fish and Wildlife Service, New the Arctic Ocean because York Times newspaper, and the sea ice phytoplankton Chukotka Administration. [microscopic plants] will The delegation discussed and be replaced by phyto- considered the results of the first plankton production in season of the Polar Bear Patrol open waters. We already project and planned for the next observe a steady and season. The patrol received addi- substantial decline in the tional GPS receivers, portable two- sea ice cover. way radios, and winter camouflage We really need to look and recruited a new member from at what effect this change Nutepelmen, a coastal village about in productivity will have 60 kilometres from Vankarem. for fish and fisheries and The patrol was commended for then sea birds, whales, and its excellent results. Despite their eventually polar bears. We limited resources, the objectives of are already seeing that the the project were achieved with no decline of sea ice will have human or polar bear casualties. a significant impact but Dr Karin Lochte we still have little idea of Dr Andrei Boltunov how it will change. to a HNLC (high nutrient – low Leading researcher Victor Smetacek, professor of chlorophyll) sea like the Antarctic. All-Russian Research Institute for Nature biological oceanography at the Sea ice production on the conti- Protection Alfred Wegener Institute, has nental shelf will be declining and [email protected] hypothesised that a reduction of this sea ice is a transport medium iron (which phytoplankton need for trace metals, such as iron, and Viktor Nikiforov to process nutrients) from conti- also nutrients both of which assist Regional Programmes Director nental shelves into the central phytoplankton production in the WWF-Russia Arctic could change the Arctic Arctic Ocean. ➤ 22 [email protected] 22 Interview/book review WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07

21 ➤ The biggest changes will happen NA: What do governments need to as WWF play to encourage policy- at the arctic coastal regions. These be doing to address climate change makers to adequately address climate areas are subjected to the most and adapt to the changes that we are change? intense effects of climatic change. now seeing in the Arctic?

For instance, some coasts are KL: NGOs have a big effect stabilised by permafrost, which KL: The efforts of natural sciences on governments — more than is starting to melt, and this will need to be better linked to science. So I would hope or wish change the sediment erosion and economics and social science. Only that NGOs and science can work the types of organisms around the then can you make the link that closer together so that the results arctic coast. Most likely the water governments will understand. They produced by❝ research are quickly cycle (rainfall) and the freezing want to know what does it cost and translated for the public and when regime of the rivers will change, w h a t s o l u - we see that there leading to higher transport of tions we have. is a problem, material from the land to the sea So in addition The efforts of natural NGOs can use and that again will have a massive t o m a k i n g sciences need to their resources impact on the coastal ecosystem. e v e r y o n e be better linked to t o q u i c k l y We will have to look at the coasts a w a r e o f address them. most of all. c a r b o n economics and social Sometimes dioxide emis- science. Only then the link between NA: What research has to happen s i o n s , w e can you make the link t h e s c i e n c e for us to better understand the need to help that governments will c o m m u n i t y systems? governments and NGOs is a address the understand. bit disturbed. KL: Firstly we need better obser- changes that Maybe scien- vation systems. We do not have we think are tists say that enough data at the moment, espe- likely to happen in the Arctic to NGOs are too one-sided and NGOs cially about how the weather and prevent the worst and to adapt to say that scientists’ interests are too the ocean are behaving and how the changes. narrow in their focus. But we have the ice changes. So we need to There are natural resources that to work together. develop automated systems which can be exploited in the Arctic. But Scientists are interested in can provide physical, chemical, and it will be very important to come the maintenance of this world

biological data. We need to know to international agreements. The so we should really try to have a how the system is behaving. Arctic has a lot of national terri- better exchange of information And the second thing is we need tories so it is important to create and knowledge. NGOs may go a to better understand what the loss international treaties which protect different way to activate policy

of sea ice means for biological the Arctic. but we should not go against each productivity and what feedbacks Of course these countries are other. will happen in the food web as sea all eager to find out what benefits ice declines. there are and I think this is natural, Book review As well as the observational but at the same time we have to be data, we also need to have better really careful❝ that this is not done models and to the detriment Oil, Globalization, and the War also stronger to the whole for the Arctic Refuge links between …we need to better system. It needs David M. Standlea the observa- understand what the to be done in a ISBN: 0791466329 tions and the way that does Pages: 209 models. I know loss of sea ice means not destroy the Published: State University of New York that people for biological produc- environment. Press – January 2006 are making tivity and what feed- An agreement great efforts needs to have In Oil, Globalization, and the War t o d e v e l o p backs will happen in an obligation for the Arctic Refuge, David Standlea higher resolu- the food web as sea f o r n a t i o n s explores and analyses the fight to tion models ice declines. t o m o n i t o r protect the Arctic Refuge within but they need changes and a larger global and historical to know what devise technical context. data to put into the models and all and legal solutions to prevent exces- Standlea frames the drilling the data is not yet there. sive pollution or other destruc- debate as a non-violent battle in I think a special challenge for tion. the "resource wars" and a conflict the Arctic is the need to develop Polar research and dealing with between these very different world- regional models, because the global changes in the polar ecosystems views. models are not able to show what is a truly international business. He is particularly interested in is happening at the regional level. In the Arctic cooperation is very the underlying belief systems, values For example it is important to well developed and I hope we can and assumptions that all of the know what is happening or will be continue to work together. players bring to the drilling debate happening in areas such as the Lena in the Arctic Refuge. It is after all Delta or the coast of Greenland. NA: What part can NGOs such these conscious and subconscious WWF ARCTIC BULLETIN • No. 2.07 Calendar/book review 23

Forthcoming arctic meetings & events

Arctic Council events Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme — Mercury Experts Group meeting WHERE: Copenhagen, Denmark • WHEN: 29–31 October • MORE INFO: www. amap.no Sustainable Development Working Group meeting WHERE: Vadsø, Norway • WHEN: 30–1 October • MORE INFO: www.sdwg.org Senior Arctic Officials meeting WHERE: Narvik, Norway • WHEN: November 28–29 • MORE INFO: www.arctic-council.org/

Conferences and workshops 15th Arctic Conference WHERE: Pocatello, Idaho • WHEN: 1–3 November • MORE INFO: E-mail: [email protected] First Workshop on Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks WHERE: Stockholm, Sweden • WHEN: 12–14 November • MORE INFO: www.arcticobserving.org/ “On the Role and Place of Universities in Sustainable Development of the Arctic and the North” Conference WHERE: Dubna, Moscow, Russian Federation • WHEN: 20–22 November • MORE INFO: E-mail: [email protected] 4th ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting WHERE: Collingwood, Ontario, Canada • WHEN: 11 – 14 December MORE INFO: www.arcticnet-ulaval.ca/index.php?fa=ASM.2007conference The Arctic Natural Climate Change Workshop WHERE: University of Tromso, Tromso, Norway • WHEN: 12–14 December MORE INFO: siempre.arcus.org/4DACTION/wi_cal_getEvent/952 2nd Annual Arctic Frontiers Conference WHERE: Tromso, Norway • WHEN: 20 – 25 January, 2008 • MORE INFO: www.arctic-frontiers.com “Living with Climate Change: Are There Limits to Adaptation?” Conference WHERE: London, UK • WHEN: 7 – 8 February, 2008 MORE INFO: www.tyndall.ac.uk/research/programme3/adaptation2008/index.html Arctic Discourses 2008 WHERE: Tromso, Norway • WHEN: 21 – 23 February, 2008 • MORE INFO: uit.no/humfak/arkdisk/4?Language=en Arctic Science Summit Week 2008 WHERE: Syktyvkar, Russia • WHEN: 26 March – 1 April, 2008 • MORE INFO: www.iasc.se For more on these events and other meetings, please visit: http://www.arcus.org/Calendar/upcomingEvents.shtml • www.iasc.no/SAM/samtext.htm

Book review

beliefs that inform how we interact mental movement and its gradual very engaging and an interesting with nature — whether we see it as shift from the early environmental read, and I found the notes at the a resource to be exploited or some- ethic of the 1970s to the embrace end of the book very informative. thing that we need to protect and of “sustainability” in the 1980s and As we see nations rushing to manage or a place that we rely for the need to balance economic and stake territory and mineral claims our survival. social arguments. in the Arctic, a book like this that On one side of the debate are Standlea’s background is polit- examines the complexities of the oil companies and the US Bush ical science and political ecology the wider conflict at play is very administration, which Standlea — a discipline typically used to timely. describes as the “corporate-mili- understand social issues in the Nigel Allan tary complex” and on the other "third world". It feels like a book [email protected] side of the resource war is the coali- written by an academic but it is a tion of conservation groups, social justice groups, and the Gwich’in Athabascan Nation, who according Arctic Bulletin supported by the Weston Foundation to Standlea generally represent “true democratic values”. This issue of the WWF Arctic beauty and importance of And within these two different Bulletin is made possible by The the Arctic, so integral to the camps are further distinctions. The W. Garfield Weston Foundation, Canadian consciousness, is corporations are primarily driven a Canadian charitable foundation specific organisations in the fields shared with those who have by the need to generate a profit, committed to making grants of education and environment. a stake in its conservation. whereas some politicians appear in Canada for the benefit of In supporting the WWF Arctic WWF gratefully acknowledges to be driven by ideology and the Canadians. The Foundation’s Bulletin, the Foundation is ensuring The W. Garfield Weston need to create a legacy. Standlea grants are directed primarily to that information about the unique Foundation for its support. looks at the history of the environ- B-economique Retur WWF-Norge PO Box 6784 St Olavs plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway

Identified high suitability/critical bowhead whale habitat Eastern Canadian Arctic

High suitability habitat (high confidence)

High suitability habitat (moderat confidence)

High suitability habitat (low confidence)

August 2003 Govermental survey study area

Private sector study area

Historic whaling study area

WWF-CANADA WWF-NORWAY WWF-US WWF-RUSSIA WWF is the world’s largest and WWF 245 Eglinton Ave., Kristian Augusts gate 7a 1250 24th St. NW Contact: Viktor Nikiforov ARCTIC East Suite 410 P.O. Box 6784 St. Washington, most experienced independent Toronto, Ontario M4P 3J1 Olavsplass DC, 20037 USA ■ mail within Russia: conservation organisation, with OFFICES Canada N-0130 Oslo, Norway Ph: +1 202 293 4800 P.O. Box 55 AND Ph.: +1416 489 8800 Ph.: +47 22 03 65 00 Fax: +1 202 861 8378 125319 Moscow, Russia almost five million supporters Fax: +1416 489 3611 Fax: +47 22 20 06 66 www.worldwildlife.org Ph: +7 095 7270939 and a global network active in CONTACTS www.wwf.ca www.wwf.no Contact: Randall Snodgrass Fax: +7 095 7270938 Contact: Peter J Ewins Contact: Rasmus Hansson & Margaret Williams www.wwf.ru 90 countries. WWF’s mission is WWF INTERNATIONAL WWF-DENMARK WWF-SWEDEN ■ to stop the degradation of the ARCTIC PROGRAMME mail from Europe: Ryesgade 3F Ulriksdals Slott Kristian Augusts gate 7a, WWF Russian planet’s natural environment DK 2200 Copenhagen N, S-171 71 Solna, Sweden P.O. Box 6784 St. Olavs Programme Office Denmark Ph.: +46 862 47 400 and to build a future in which plass, N-0130 Oslo, Account No. WWF 232 Ph.: +45 35 36 36 35 Fax: +46 885 13 29 Norway P.O. Box 289 Weybridge humans live in harmony with Fax: +45 35 39 20 62 www.wwf.se Ph.: +47 22 03 65 00 Surrey KT 13 8WJ, UK www.wwf.dk Contact: Lars Kristoferson nature. WWF Fax: +47 22 20 06 66 Contact: Anne-Marie Bjerg www.panda.org/arctic ■ mail from the US: continues to be Contact: Dr Neil Hamilton WWF Russian WWF-FINLAND Programme Office known as World Lintulahdenkatu 10 Acount No. WWF 232 Wildlife Fund in SF-00500 Helsinki, Finland 208 East 51st Street Ph.: +358 9 7740 100 Suite 295 Canada and the Fax: +358 9 7740 2139 New York, ny 10022, USA United States of www.wwf.fi Contact: Jari Luukkonen America.