The U.S. Department of Interior will make a decision on whether they plan to lease the North Aleutian Basin (Bristol Bay) for offshore oil and gas drilling that could jeopardize fisheries, wildlife and the communities they support while offering few jobs and benefits to local residents.
Be Involved: Attend a presentation and discussion! Hear the facts, discuss the proposal, and learn how to comment to decision-makers by the September 21st comments deadline. There will be refreshments, information and a chance to sound off! It’s free and open to the public.
Tuesday August 25th: 7pm @ the Sand Point City Council Chambers
If you cannot join in person, call in by teleconference!
Call toll free: 866-469-3239, passcode 56213498.
Questions or need more information? Visit www.protectfishing.wordpress.com
Sponsored by World Wildlife Fund
12. Fishing Vessels: Cannot fish near rigs, rigs may get in way of fishing gear, fishing areas closed during construction/seismic testing Source: FEIS for 2007-2012 Leasing Program What will happen to AEB fisheries, valued at over $162 million per year?
16. Fish Harvest in proposed drilling area: Source: North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, 2006 Bristol Bay Red King Crab Nearly 100%
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18. Unavoidable Risk: Spills “ The following potential spills have been postulated for waters of the North Aleutian Planning Area under the proposed action: up to one large condensate spill (i.e. ≥ 1,000 bbl); up to 2 spills with volumes between 50 and 999 bbl; and up to 10 spills with volumes less than 100 bbl .” UP TO 13 SPILLS IN BRISTOL BAY! Minerals Management Service, Final EIS for the 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program for 2007-2012
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31. “ Nelson Lagoon and the northwestern part of Port Moller are the most sensitive habitat areas … Eel grass and salt marshes are reported to occupy large areas of sheltered tidal flats in this bay and lagoon system. The Port Moller Critical Habitat Area (CHA) encompasses probably the most biologically productive and sensitive of these areas. - Bristol Bay Area Management Plan [i] Bristol Bay Area Management Plan
32. Balboa Bay LNG Plant proposed Increased Shipping, off limits to fishing? Contamination?
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36. “ Oil Drilling Gives Cancer Risk to North Sea Fish – Norwegian Scientist Study ” Reuters, November 2003
44. Cheaper heating oil/gas? Shell: Cannot guarantee cheaper oil/gas Anchorage, North Slope communities still have among the highest prices for oil and gas: International market Gas companies not required to sell gas/oil at cheaper rates
[i] North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (2006) Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report for the Groundfish Fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Area: Economic Status of the Groundfish Fisheries Off Alaska, 2005. Accessed April 16, 2007 at: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/refm/docs/2006/economic.pdf . [ii] Ibid . [iii] Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2006 Alaska Commercial Salmon Harvest and Ex Vessel Values Accessed December 7, 2006 at: http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/finfish/salmon/catchval/blusheet/06exvesl.php . [iv] Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2006 Preliminary Alaska Commercial Shellfish Catches and Ex Vessel Values. Accessed January 22, 2007 at: http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/shellfsh/06value.php . [v] Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2005 Alaska Commercial Groundfish Harvests and Value (State-Managed). Accessed December 7, 2006 at: http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/finfish/grndfish/catchval/05grndf.php . [vi] Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2006 Alaska Commercial Herring Sac Roe Harvests and Ex Vessel Values. Accessed December 7, 2006 at: http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/finfish/herring/catchval/06catch.php .
Pelagic Trawl Fishery 2005 pollock
2005 bottom trawl fishery pacific cod, flatfish
2005 longline fishery pacific cod
42 gallons=1 bbl 42,000 gallons=one large condensate spill 10.8 million gallons of oil in marine environment
10.8 million gallons of oil spilled
Salmon Prices are going up Potential for renewable energy in Bristol Bay: geothermal, tidal, wind; all energies that would not impact our fishery http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/results/view.php?p=18
In some fish there is a long-term effect on DNA that might in the worst case cause cancer," said Jarle Klungsoyr of Norway's Institute of Marine Research. The scientists analyzed samples of cod, haddock, coalfish and herring from three different areas caught in 2002 Data showed that fish might be able to transfer genetic defects to their offspring. Cod Numbers are plummeting
Walter Cruickshank, Deputy Director of the Minerals Management Service described the effect major weather events have on the ability to recover natural gas, and stated "Since the onset of Hurricane Katrina, 9% of [recoverable Gulf of Mexico] gas has remained shut in." Future severe weather catastrophes may have a similar impact on the ability to drill, and thus cause short term price spikes.
Energy Prices, Jobs/Unemployment, Revenue for Louisiana? Cook Inlet
Precautionary principle in fisheries and ocean policy, not only applies to catch allowances, but also applies to potential non-fishing impacts on fish and their habitat