Thousands of Ships Use 'Cheat Devices' to Dump Toxic Wastewater Into Sea and Bypass Emissions Standards
01 October 2019
Oceans
Stock photo of cruise ship at Hardangerfjord regeion of Norway. cookelma / iStock / Getty Images Plus
You might have known that cruise ships are some of the world's worst polluters. Now, there is more disturbing news from the shipping industry thanks to a bombshell investigation that found that global shipping companies have spent billions to equip their ships with "cheat devices" that get around new emissions standards by dumping pollution into the sea rather than the air. The British newspaper The Independent revealed the fraud in an exclusive story.
According to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/shipping-pollution-sea-open-loop-scrubber-carbon-dioxide-environment-a9123181.html?utm_source=reddit.com" target="_blank">The Independent</a> shipping companies have invested more than $12 billion on a contraption called an open-loop scrubber, which removes noxious sulfur fumes from the exhaust fumes of ships that run on heavy oil. Since the sulfur is not emitted into the air, the ships are in compliance with the <a href="http://www.imo.org/en/Pages/Default.aspx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">International Maritime Organization</a>'s new emissions standards that are set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
<p>The cheat happens when the sulfur is rerouted from the exhaust pipes and dumped into the sea around the ship, which increases the volume of pollutants dropped into the oceans and carbon dioxide emissions. </p><p>"Imagine how far $12bn could have gone if it was applied towards developing and deploying technologies for zero-emission vessels," said Bryan Comer, a senior researcher at the <a href="https://theicct.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">International Council on Clean Transportation</a> (ICCT), a non-profit that gives scientific analysis to environmental regulators, to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/shipping-pollution-sea-open-loop-scrubber-carbon-dioxide-environment-a9123181.html?utm_source=reddit.com" target="_blank">The Independent</a>.</p><p>Ships that have installed the open-loop scrubbers include bulk carriers, container ships and oil tankers, which have the biggest engines and are some of the ocean's worst polluters, according to <a href="https://www.ship-technology.com/news/thousands-of-ships-use-cheat-devices-to-cheat-emissions-regulations-find-the-independent/" target="_blank">Ship Technology</a>, a shipping industry trade-publication.</p><p>So far, 3,756 have had scrubbers installed, but only 23 of them, or 0.6 percent, have a closed-loop scrubber, which captures sulfur and stores it in tanks until it can be transferred to a safe disposal facility in port, according to DNV GL, the world's largest ship classification company, as <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/shipping-pollution-sea-open-loop-scrubber-carbon-dioxide-environment-a9123181.html?utm_source=reddit.com" target="_blank">The Independent</a> reported.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.egcsa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems Association</a> estimated that 4,000 ships will be operating with scrubbers by January. </p><p>The byproduct from burning fuel is brutal. When a ship has an open-loop scrubber, it dumps nearly 45 tons of polluted washwater in to the sea for every ton of fuel it burns. The ICCT said the washwater that drops into the ocean is warm, acidic and contaminated with carcinogens and heavy metals, as <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/shipping-pollution-sea-open-loop-scrubber-carbon-dioxide-environment-a9123181.html?utm_source=reddit.com" target="_blank">The Independent</a> reported. Heavy metal pollution has been linked to damage to the central nervous system in humans and animals. Some of the other chemicals in the contaminants have been connected to skin, lung, bladder, liver and stomach cancers.</p>
<p>The ICCT has estimated that cruise ships alone that are fitted with scrubbers will burn around 4 million tons of heavy fuel oil in 2020 and they will dump 180 million tons of contaminated water overboard.</p>
<p>"About half of the world's roughly 500 cruise ships have or will soon have scrubbers installed," said Comer to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/shipping-pollution-sea-open-loop-scrubber-carbon-dioxide-environment-a9123181.html?utm_source=reddit.com" target="_blank">The Independent</a>. "Cruise ships operate in some of the most beautiful and pristine areas on the planet, making this all the more concerning." </p>
<p>Increasing acidification is already devastating the world's coral reefs since it makes it harder for corals to build their skeletons, according to the <a href="https://www.whoi.edu/press-room/news-release/scientists-identify-how-ocean-acidification-weakens-coral-skeletons/" target="_blank">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</a>.</p>
<p>Comer just touched on cruise ships and also noted that scrubbers force ships to burn about two percent more fuel, increasing their CO2 emissions. </p>
<p>The cumulative total from shipping as well will dramatically increase water pollution and will have a devastating impact on marine wildlife and water quality around ports. </p>
<p>"In the North Sea and some parts of the [English] Channel, the water quality has already been heavily degraded," said Lucy Gilliam, a campaigner for Transport and Environment, a Brussels-based NGO, to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/shipping-pollution-sea-open-loop-scrubber-carbon-dioxide-environment-a9123181.html?utm_source=reddit.com" target="_blank">The Independent</a>. "Wildlife in these areas is likely to be far more vulnerable to the effects of having ships discharging huge volumes of acidic, polluted, warm water from scrubbers."</p>
<p>In response to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/shipping-pollution-sea-open-loop-scrubber-carbon-dioxide-environment-a9123181.html?utm_source=reddit.com" target="_blank">The Independent</a>, the IMO said it had already "adopted strict criteria for discharge of washwater from exhaust gas cleaning systems." It added that it is "undertaking a review of the 2015 guidelines on exhaust gas cleaning systems. The guidelines include, among other things, washwater discharge standards."</p>
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The Freewinds, a Scientology-owned cruise ship currently quarantined over a measles scare, in Aruba in 2014. Roger Wollstadt / CC BY-SA 2.0
A cruise ship reportedly owned by the Church of Scientology has been quarantined in the port of St. Lucia after a case of measles was confirmed on board, health officials said Wednesday. There are almost 300 passengers and crew on the ship, which has the same name as a ship owned by the church, NBC News reported.
<p>The ship has been quarantined in the port of the Caribbean island nation since Monday, the same day that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/measles-cases-us-2019-2635908029.html?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1" target="_self">announced</a> that there have been more than 700 measles cases in the U.S. in 2019, the highest number in 25 years. </p>
<p>The ship's doctor confirmed that one female crew member has a case of measles, and public health officials are concerned she could have spread it to other people on board who may not be vaccinated.</p>
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="fad37ade4dc893b594f41bfb1cdb7f74"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ua2NFBEUVvk?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span><p>"Because of the risk of potential infection, not just from the confirmed measles case but from other persons who may be on the boat at the time, we thought it prudent to make a decision not to allow anyone to disembark," St. Lucia Chief Medical Officer Dr. Merlene Fredericks-James said in a statement <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/02/world/americas/measles-scientology-cruise-ship.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes" target="_blank">reported by The New York Times</a>. St. Lucia cannot stop the boat from departing, which it is scheduled to do on Thursday, NBC reported.<br></p><p>Health officials did not give the name of the vessel, but St. Lucia Coast Guard Sargent Victor Theodore said it was called "Freewinds." The Church of Scientology owns and operates a 440-foot cruise ship by that name, and Theodore identified the quarantined ship as the one pictured on the church's website. The Church of Scientology did not respond to requests for comment from NBC, CNN or The New York Times.</p><p>While some high-profile Scientologists have spoken out against vaccines, the church itself has no official stance on vaccination, The New York Times reported.</p><p>"Scientologists are pretty independent people, though I will say this: they tend to do a little more research, perhaps, on the effect of various medical procedures or whatever," President of the church in New York John Carmichael <a href="https://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Scientology/Scientology-Silent-Birth-Its-A-Natural-Thing.aspx?p=4" target="_blank">told Beliefnet in 2006</a>. "They make their own decisions, but those aren't decisions that the church tries to influence in any way."</p><p>St. Lucia has authority to quarantine the vessel under the island nation's quarantine and public health acts, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/02/health/st-lucia-measles-cruise-ship-quarantine/index.html" target="_blank">CNN reported</a>. Quarantine is also a legal option in every U.S. state.</p><p>"Quarantine is a word that people respond to very strongly, but it's actually one of the strongest tools in the public health tool kit," Director of the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University Rebecca Katz told CNN. "But because it curtails civil liberties, most public health officials are very wary to utilize it."</p>
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Like many other plant-based foods and products, CBD oil is one dietary supplement where "organic" labels are very important to consumers. However, there are little to no regulations within the hemp industry when it comes to deeming a product as organic, which makes it increasingly difficult for shoppers to find the best CBD oil products available on the market.
<p>Here you can learn about the importance of organic hemp oil, why it's better for the environment, and which CBD companies actually make trustworthy products with sustainable farming processes. origins which weigh heavily on many consumers who want to buy a product that's produced in the best way possible for not only themselves to ingest, but for the environment as well through sustainable farming methods. </p><h2>What Is CBD Oil?</h2><p>First things first, CBD stands for cannabidiol, and it's a cannabinoid found within cannabis sativa plants. This plant compound is believed to have many potential benefits, and it is primarily derived from hemp plants via a CO2 extraction process. </p><p>Since CBD is extracted from industrial hemp, which contains only trace amounts of THC (the psychoactive component in cannabis plants), this means that CBD won't make you feel high like marijuana, which has much higher levels of THC that causes psychoactive effects. Instead, the effects of CBD are much more subtle and promote a general sense of calm and relaxation in most users.</p><h2>What Makes a CBD Oil Organic?</h2><p>In terms of organic labels, perhaps the most important (and prominent) certification comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This government organization has been labeling foods as "organic" for many years, but what exactly does this certification entail? Essentially, a label indicating that a product is "USDA Organic" or "Certified Organic" means that at least 95% of the ingredients are obtained from organic sources.</p><p>For a crop to be considered organic by the USDA, it must be grown without the use of industrial solvents, irradiation, genetic engineering (GMOs), synthetic pesticides, or chemical fertilizer. Instead, farmers rely on natural substances and <a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mechanical, physical, or biologically based farming</a> techniques to cultivate healthy and organic crops.</p><p>Before the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, no hemp-derived products could be dubbed as "certified organic" since the hemp plant and its extracts were still categorized as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. However, it's still difficult for CBD companies to obtain a USDA certified organic label for their products due to the legal grey area that still surrounds CBD extracts. </p><p>Because of these challenges, and due to the fact that industrial hemp has only recently become an agricultural crop, very few CBD oils are USDA certified organic. Rather, many CBD products contain hemp extracts from plants that were grown in organic conditions but may not be federally certified.</p><h2>What are the Best Organic CBD Oil Brands?</h2><p><em>Each product featured here has been independently selected. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.</em></p>
<h2>Why Organic Hemp Oil Matters</h2><p>Hemp is a unique plant, not only for its rich cannabinoid content, but also for its ability to absorb a wide variety of components in soil. But this trait poses great risks when it comes to the creation of CBD products derived from hemp.</p><p>Because hemp has a high capacity for compound uptake, this means that the plants can retain <a href="https://www.remedyreview.com/industry/lab-test-results/" target="_blank">harmful chemicals like pesticides</a>, heavy metals, and other residual solvents. This is especially true when it comes to synthetic chemicals that are more toxic to humans, and difficult to remove once they have been absorbed by the hemp plant.</p><p>Organic farming practices help reduce the risk of hemp crops absorbing harsh chemicals that may later end up in CBD oil after extraction. When you're taking CBD as a wellness supplement to help alleviate your symptoms or improve your overall well-being, the last thing you want is to ingest compounds that might negatively outweigh the benefits of CBD. This is an important reason to look for third party lab test results when shopping for CBD products since these certificates of analysis can show the full cannabinoid and terpene profile of a hemp extract, as well as test results that search for the presence of any residual solvents.</p><p>In addition to creating a better end product, organic farming practices are also better for the environment. Sustainable and organic farming methods may <a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/organic-foods.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reduce pollution, conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy</a>. The use of natural pest deterrents as opposed to chemical pesticides is also better for nearby animal populations and ecosystems.</p><h3>Organic vs. Natural</h3><p>While there are only a select few companies offering certified organic ingredients in their products, almost every brand in the CBD market creates "natural" products. The term "all-natural" or "plant-based" does not mean that a product is organic, and since hemp oil is a natural derivative of hemp plants, these products are often referred to as all-natural. However, there are some synthetic CBD oils that should be avoided because they are chemically constructed and may produce unwanted side effects that are not caused by naturally derived CBD extracts.</p><h2>What are the Benefits of Organic CBD Oil?</h2><p>There's a long list of potential CBD oil health benefits, and some of the most common wellness advantages include:</p><ul class="ee-ul"><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/" target="_blank">Chronic pain relief</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/" target="_blank">Anti-anxiety effects</a></li><li>Better sleep</li><li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inner-source/201901/cbd-oil-mental-health-should-you-take-it-too" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Improvements in mood</a></li><li>Internal balance and regulation</li></ul><p>When dealing with pain, inflammation, sleep issues, and mental health struggles, it can be hard to find sufficient treatment options. The use of certain prescriptions can cause unwanted side effects, yet they are often the only solution for patients with these medical conditions. In search of other therapies, people have started to flock towards CBD oil as an alternative remedy for a variety of conditions. However, it should be noted that CBD products are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and you should seek your doctor's advice before using CBD if you have a serious medical condition.</p><h2>Look at the Labels Before You Buy CBD Oil</h2><p>When you go online to buy CBD oil, you'll quickly realize there is an overwhelming number of brands that are saturating the market. It can be difficult to determine which products are truly as good as they make themselves out to be. Always look for up-to-date third-party lab tests so you know you are getting a great product, and don't hesitate to contact the brand if you have any additional questions. And if you're intent on purchasing 100% organic CBD oil, it's best to look for certified products or brands that are held to strict regulatory standards.</p><p><strong>Melena Gurganus </strong>is the Reviews Editor at EcoWatch. She is passionate health and wellness and her writing aims to help others find products they can trust. Her work has been featured in publications such as Health, Shape, Huffington Post, Cannabis Business Times, and Bustle.<br></p>
Spruce
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjI3OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTM2NzgzOX0.axY0HjeqRctJsR_KmDLctzDpUBLBN-oNIdqaXDb4caQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="774be" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8379f35b1ca8a86d0e61b7d4bfc8b46e" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="spruce organic cbd oil" /><p>As one of the best brands in the business, Spruce CBD is well-known for its potent CBD oils that feature many additional beneficial phytocannabinoids. This brand works with two family-owned, sustainably focused farms in the USA (one located in Kentucky and one in North Carolina) to create its organic, small product batches. The max potency Spruce CBD oil contains 2400mg of full-spectrum CBD extract, but the brand also offers a lower strength tincture with 750mg of CBD in total.</p>
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CBDistillery
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDcwMjkzNC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyMTU4OTM4Nn0.ypRdeDSBcE87slYrFfVrRwtJ2qGIK6FD5jBB4pndTMo/img.jpg?width=980" id="b473b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="9930b53c9d58cb49774640a61c3e3e75" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="cbdistillery cbd oil" /><p>All of the products from CBDistillery are <a href="https://ushempauthority.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">U.S. Hemp Authority Certified</a>, and for good reason. The company only uses non-GMO and pesticide-free industrial hemp that's grown organically on Colorado farms. Its hemp oils are some of the most affordable CBD products on the market, yet they still maintain a high standard of quality. CBDistillery has a wide variety of CBD potencies across its product line (ranging from 500mg to 5000mg per bottle) and offers both full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD oils to give customers a completely thc-free option.</p>
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FAB CBD
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIyNS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2NDIwOTEyMn0.MlTjz096FJ0ev_-soK7_Z-FeQeJczWoeh9Qi9SSkHsY/img.jpg?width=980" id="04b26" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="76aa4862f44603242e318982acea6646" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="fab cbd oil" /><p>For an organic CBD oil that has it all, FAB CBD offers plenty of variety for any type of consumer. All of its products are made with zero pesticides and extracted from organically grown Colorado industrial hemp. FAB CBD oil comes in five all-natural flavors (mint, vanilla, berry, citrus, and natural) and is also available in four strengths (300, 600, 1200, and 2400mg per bottle).</p>
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NuLeaf Naturals
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDY4NjIxOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzExNTgyMX0.D6qMGYllKTsVhEkQ-L_GzpDHVu60a-tJKcio7M1Ssmc/img.jpg?width=980" id="94e4a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3609a52479675730893a45a82a03c71d" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="nuleaf naturals organic cbd oil" /><p>As an industry-leading brand, it comes as no surprise that NuLeaf Naturals sources its CBD extract from organic hemp plants grown on licensed farms in Colorado. The comany's CBD oils only contain two ingredients: USDA certified organic hemp seed oil and full spectrum hemp extract.</p><p>NuLeaf Naturals uses one proprietary CBD oil formula for all of its products, so you will get the same CBD potency in each tincture (60mg per mL), but can purchase different bottle sizes depending on how much you intend to use.</p>
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Charlotte's Web
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$60
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A pod of narwhals (Monodon monoceros) in central Baffin Bay. Narwhals are the most vulnerable animals to increased ship traffic in the Arctic Ocean. Kristin Laidre / University of Washington, CC BY-ND
By Donna Hauser, Harry Stern and Kristin Laidre
Americans often associate fall with football and raking leaves, but in the Arctic this season is about ice. Every year, floating sea ice in the Arctic thins and melts in spring and summer, then thickens and expands in fall and winter.
As climate change warms the Arctic, its sea ice cover is declining. This year scientists estimate that the Arctic sea ice minimum in late September covered 1.77 million square miles, tying the sixth lowest summertime minimum on record.
<p>
With less sea ice, there is burgeoning interest in shipping and other commercial activity throughout the Northwest Passage—the fabled route that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, via Canada's convoluted Arctic archipelago—as well as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Sea_Route" target="_blank">Northern Sea Route</a>, which cuts across Russia's northern seas. This trend has serious potential impacts for Arctic sea life.
</p><p>
In a recent <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1803543115" target="_blank">study</a>, we assessed the vulnerability of 80 populations of Arctic marine mammals during the "open-water" period of September, when sea ice is at its minimum extent. We wanted to understand the relative risks of vessel traffic across Arctic marine mammal species, populations and regions. We found that more than half (53 percent) of these populations—including walruses and several types of <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/whales">whales</a>—would be exposed to vessels in Arctic sea routes. This could lead to collisions, noise disturbance or changes in the animals' behavior.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODgxNzUyMC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNjA2NTM1Mn0.hjbEPoIgMGmnoNwDLT4weWIgm--mffqi3iM4xzCW6Yg/img.png?width=980" id="68750" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="86dacbcfb226892a2a4577c03444d7a9" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Map of the Arctic region showing the the Northern Sea Route and Northwest Passage</small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">Arctic Council / Susie Harder</small></p><p>
<strong>Less Ice, More Ships<br>
</strong></p><p>
More than a century ago, Norwegian explorer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_Amundsen" target="_blank">Roald Amundsen</a> became the first European to navigate the entire Northwest Passage. Due to the <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/SeaIce" target="_blank">short Arctic summer</a>, it took Amundsen's 70-foot wooden sailing ship <a href="https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/lessons-northwest-passage-roald-amundsens-experiences-canadian-arctic" target="_blank">three years to make the journey</a>, wintering in protected harbors.
</p><p>
Fast-forward to summer 2016, when a cruise ship carrying more than 1,000 passengers <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160916005705/en/Mission-Accomplished-Crystal-Serenity-Completes-32-Day-Northwest" target="_blank">negotiated the Northwest Passage in 32 days</a>. The summer "open-water" period in the Arctic has now increased by <a href="http://www.washington.edu/news/2015/03/17/first-global-review-on-the-status-future-of-arctic-marine-mammals/" target="_blank">more than two months</a> in some regions. Summer sea ice cover has shrunk by <a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/arctic-sea-ice/" target="_blank">over 30 percent</a> since satellites started regular monitoring in 1979.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODgxNzUyMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MjY5NTc3NH0.VoqThKFviwps5MFoxKDNx0dQOXbx_-NqAR9bNNH6-Ck/img.jpg?width=980" id="5a31d" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0861fd68a55efba5130c7770965be180" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) in Disko Bay, West Greenland </small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit..."><a href="https://flic.kr/p/K6MNnH" target="_blank">Kristin Laidre</a>, CC BY 2.0</small></p><p>
Arctic seas are home to a specialized group of <a href="https://www.arcticbiodiversity.is/findings/marine-mammals" target="_blank">marine mammals</a> found nowhere else on Earth, including beluga and bowhead whales, narwhals, walruses, ringed and bearded seals and polar bears. These species are <a href="https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/6042/20140214/arctic-marine-mammals-act-ecosystem-sentinels-amid-changing-climate.htm" target="_blank">critical members</a> of Arctic marine ecosystems, and provide <a href="https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2016/08/31/subsistence-hunting-in-alaska-in-an-age-of-climate-change" target="_blank">traditional resources</a> to Indigenous communities across the Arctic.<br>
</p><p>
According to ecologists, all of these animals are <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/19395582/2008/18/sp2" target="_blank">susceptible to sea ice loss</a>. Research at lower latitudes has also shown that marine mammals can be <a href="https://dosits.org/animals/effects-of-sound/potential-effects-of-sound-on-marine-mammals/" target="_blank">affected by noise from vessels</a> because of their reliance on sound, as well as by <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/understanding-vessel-strikes" target="_blank">ship strikes</a>. These findings raise concerns about increasing vessel traffic in the Arctic.
</p><p>
<strong>Sensitivity Times Exposure Equals Vulnerability</strong>
</p><p>
To determine which species could be at risk, we estimated two key factors: Exposure—how much a population's distribution overlaps with the Northwest Passage or Northern Sea Route during September—and sensitivity, a combination of biological, ecological and vessel factors that may put a population at a higher risk.
</p><p>
As an illustration, imagine calculating vulnerability to air pollution. People generally are more exposed to air pollution in cities than in rural areas. Some groups, such as children and the elderly, are also more sensitive because their lungs are not as strong as those of average adults.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-rebelmouse-image">
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODgxNzUyMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTQ2MDY3M30.vk8gmJDPRix7AULwko57efFJmjqFAmmmOlVTPAi3ak8/img.jpg?width=980" id="e0214" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="6c6320cf097c4ed22c17f2dd4cfc4f74" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Ringed seal (Pusa hispida) pup in Alaska </small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit..."><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pusa_hispida_pup.jpg" target="_blank">NOAA</a></small></p><p>
We found that many whale and walrus populations were both highly exposed and sensitive to vessels during the open-water period. Narwhals—medium-sized toothed whales with a large spiral tusk—scored as most vulnerable overall. These animals are endemic to the Arctic, and spend much of their time in winter and spring in areas with heavy concentrations of sea ice. In our study, they ranked as both highly exposed and highly sensitive to vessel effects in September.<br>
</p><p>
Narwhals have a relatively restricted range. Each summer they migrate to the same areas in the Canadian high Arctic and around <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/greenland">Greenland</a>. In fall they migrate south in pods to offshore areas in Baffin Bay and Davis Strait, where they spend the winter making deep dives under the dense ice to feed on Greenland halibut. Many narwhal populations' core summer and fall habitat is right in the middle of the Northwest Passage.
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<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODgxNzUyNy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NTgzNTE5OH0.T4H94c4ILWZJZnjnGAVN-Nm8CqZKvvHgtlRe0u5MlxM/img.jpg?width=980" id="05f18" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="2b5b4befad2700c4e309dd842dd5c27c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image">
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">A pod of narwhals (Monodon monoceros) in central Baffin Bay. Narwhals are the most vulnerable animals to increased ship traffic in the Arctic during September. </small><small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit..."><a href="https://www.photolib.noaa.gov/bigs/anim1112.jpg" target="_blank">NOAA / OAR / OER / Kristin Laidre</a></small></p><p>
<strong>Vulnerable Arctic Regions, Species and Key Uncertainties<br>
</strong>
</p><p>
The western end of the Northwest Passage and the eastern end of the Northern Sea Route converge at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bering_Strait" target="_blank">Bering Strait</a>, a 50-mile-wide waterway separating Russia and <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/tag/alaska">Alaska</a>. This area is also a key migratory corridor for thousands of beluga and bowhead whales, Pacific walruses and ringed and bearded seals. In this geographic bottleneck and other narrow channels, marine mammals are particularly vulnerable to vessel traffic.
</p><p>
Among the species we assessed, polar bears were least vulnerable to September vessel traffic because they generally spend the ice-free season on land. Of course, longer ice-free seasons are also <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-arctic-sea-ice-shrinks-new-research-shows-how-much-energy-polar-bears-use-to-find-food-91125" target="_blank">bad for polar bears</a>, which need sea ice as a platform for hunting seals. They may also be vulnerable to oil spills year-round.
</p><p>
Research in the harsh and remote Arctic seas is <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aau4941" target="_blank">notoriously difficult</a>, and there are many gaps in our knowledge. Certain areas, such as the Russian Arctic, are less studied. <a href="http://www.washington.edu/news/2015/03/17/first-global-review-on-the-status-future-of-arctic-marine-mammals/" target="_blank">Data are sparse</a> on many marine mammals, especially ringed and bearded seals. These factors increased the uncertainty in our vessel vulnerability scores.
</p><p>
We concentrated on late summer, when vessel traffic is expected to be greatest due to reduced ice cover. However, ice-strengthened vessels can also operate during spring, with potential impacts on seals and polar bears that are less vulnerable in September. The window of opportunity for navigation is growing as sea ice break-up happens earlier in the year and freeze-up occurs later. These changes also shift the times and places where marine mammals could be exposed to vessels.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="749ea4f4b4cfcf5552a9f9ccb2375557"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MicU8h4-kNw?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Arctic Sea Ice 1984 - 2016 (4K)</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://youtu.be/MicU8h4-kNw" target="_blank">youtu.be</a>
</small>
</p><p>
<strong>Planning for a Navigable Arctic<br>
</strong>
</p><p>
Recent initiatives in the lower 48 states offer some models for anticipating and managing vessel-marine mammal interactions. One recent study showed that modeling could be used to <a href="https://www.hakaimagazine.com/news/protecting-blue-whales-predicting-where-theyll-be/" target="_blank">predict blue whale locations off the California coast</a> to help ships avoid key habitats. And since 2008, federal regulations have imposed <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/reducing-ship-strikes-north-atlantic-right-whales" target="_blank">seasonal and speed restrictions</a> on ships in the North Atlantic to minimize threats to critically endangered right whales. These practical examples, along with our vulnerability ranking, could provide a foundation for similar steps to protect <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/marine-life">marine mammals</a> in the Arctic.
</p><p>
The International Maritime Organization has already adopted a <a href="http://www.imo.org/en/mediacentre/hottopics/polar/pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Polar Code</a>, which was developed to promote safe ship travel in polar waters. It recommends identifying areas of ecological importance, but does not currently include direct strategies to designate important habitats or reduce vessel effects on marine mammals, although the organization has taken steps to <a href="http://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/2018/05/25/america-russia-alaska-bering-strait-shipping-ocean/" target="_blank">protect marine habitat in the Bering Sea</a>.
</p><p>
Even if nations take rigorous action to mitigate climate change, models predict that September Arctic sea ice <a href="http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/wg1/WG1AR5_SPM_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">will continue to decrease over the next 30 years</a>. There is an opportunity now to plan for an increasingly accessible and rapidly changing Arctic, and to minimize risks to creatures that are found nowhere else on Earth.</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="68ddb" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="5Y0D531576662089"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="901156362419400709" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Tanker Crosses #Arctic Without Icebreaker for First Time Due to Rapid Melting of Sea Ice https://t.co/8eSp2lTAbf @SierraClub @ClimateReality</div> — EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)<a href="https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/statuses/901156362419400709">1503687394.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p><em>Donna Hauser is a research assistant professor at the International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.</em><br></p><p>
<em><span style="background-color: initial;">Harry Stern is the p</span>rincipal mathematician at the Polar Science Center, University of Washington.
</em></p><p>
<em>Kristin Laidre is an associate professor of aquatic and fishery sciences, University of Washington.
</em></p><p>
<em>Disclosure statements: Donna Hauser receives funding from the North Pacific Research Board, Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub, Moore Foundation and Collaborative Alaska Arctic Studies Program. Harry Stern receives funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Kristin Laidre receives funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Defense, the Pew Foundation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
</em></p><p>
<em>Reposted with permission from our media associate <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-arctic-ship-traffic-increases-narwhals-and-other-unique-animals-are-at-risk-99733" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>.</em>
</p><script async="async" data-counter="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/99733/count?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" id="theconversation_tracker_hook" src="https://theconversation.com/javascripts/lib/content_tracker_hook.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
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Trending
Polar Bear Shot Dead After Attacking Cruise Ship Guard, Raising Questions of Arctic Tourism
30 July 2018
Animals
Norwegian authorities said the polar bear attacked and injured a crew member of the 'MS Bremen' cruise ship who was leading tourists off the vessel on an Arctic archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole. The polar bear was shot dead by another employee, the cruise company said. GUSTAV BUSCH ARNTSEN / AFP / Getty Images
A German cruise operator is under fire after one its employees shot a wild polar bear dead on Norway's Svalbard archipelago after the animal injured a cruise ship guard.
The incident occurred Saturday after the tour ship MS Brennan docked on the island, Norwegian authorities confirmed.
<p>
In a
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HLCruisesInt/posts/1624493584327985" target="_blank">statement</a>, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises said the guard, whose job is to scope the area of bears to protect the ship's tourists, went onshore the island before the passengers when we was "unexpectedly attacked" by the animal.
</p><p>
Attempts from other guards to "evict the animal" were unsuccessful, the company said. The bear was ultimately shot and killed "for reasons of self-defense and to protect the life of the attacked person."
</p><p>
<span></span>The guard suffered head injuries from the attack but they were not life-threatening. He was airlifted out of the area and his condition remains stable. <span></span>
</p><p>
"We very much regret this incident," the company said. "Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is very aware of its responsibility when traveling in environmentally-sensitive areas and respects all nature and wildlife."
<span></span>
</p><p>
Svalbard, which lies halfway between Norway and the North Pole, is known for its population of polar bears. The cruise operator
<a href="https://www.hl-cruises.com/cruisefinder/BRE1816#overview" target="_blank">touts</a> that its expedition onboard the MS Brennan brings tourists to an area where "polar bears rule the wilderness."
</p><p>
The Saturday incident has sparked international outrage, with some saying that tourists should not encroach a polar bear's natural habitat.
</p><p>
Comedian and animal activist Ricky Gervais, tweeted: "'Let's get too close to a polar bear in its natural environment and then kill it if it gets too close.' Morons."
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="3f210" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="JYW6YF1576662291"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1023480349400158208" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">"Let's get too close to a polar bear in its natural environment and then kill it if it gets too close". Morons. https://t.co/FEPt0sYOtF</div> — Ricky Gervais (@Ricky Gervais)<a href="https://twitter.com/rickygervais/statuses/1023480349400158208">1532851705.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p></p><p>
Others noted that such confrontations are bound to happen again as Arctic tourism increases. Citing the Longyearbyen port schedule, the
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/07/28/world/europe/ap-eu-norway-polar-bear-attack.html" target="_blank">Associated Press</a> reported that 18 cruise ships will dock at the Arctic port in the next week.
</p><p>
Polar bears were declared a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2008 due to their sea ice habitat melting from climate change.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-twitter_embed">
</p><div id="05e6a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1F7ZJB1576662291"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1023361535845060608" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">@nbcwashington They are in its domain, ever more frequent this will happen.</div> — John Doe (@John Doe)<a href="https://twitter.com/TeamTashaHarry/statuses/1023361535845060608">1532823377.0</a></blockquote></div>
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