Oiled Wildlife Response in the Arctic

Oiled wildlife response in the Arctic: a regional approach WMU/IMO Conference on Oil Spill Risk Management MalmÜ, Sweden – 8 March 2011

Saskia Sessions

Wildlife response in the arctic High

risk, public pressure Lack of infrastructure Difficult conditions Integrated wildlife response planning Agree

strategy Tiered regional response Communicate it Pictures: http://www.arcodiv.org/

What is wildlife response?

Which strategy for wildlife?

Options Rehabilitation Euthanasia Both Leave animals alone

Discuss in peace time Safety first, practical All stakeholders Humane, publicly acceptable Cost-effective

100% Euthanasia

Rehabilitation

Leave in the wild Extreme conditions Remoteness Dangerous North

Better conditions Resources available H&S threats minimal South

European Wildlife Planning

HELCOM instruments Guidelines on Wildlife Response planning Procedures for mutual assistance Baltic work programme (workshops, training, wildlife in BALEX Delta exercise)

Developments at OTSOPA and REMPEC

Framework for Arctic Wildlife Planning

European model → Arctic countries

Best practice, international cooperation

Different levels of preparedness Few dedicated arctic oiled wildlife response plans Few permanent arctic wildlife facilities

Different attitudes on animal welfare

Euthanasia vs rehabilitation

Arctic Regional Wildlife Response Plan

Tiered response (pool resources) Trained people governments, industry, NGOs, hunters Availability & location of equipment/facilities Guidance and criteria for mobilisation of resources

Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3

Communications plan

Map: http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/maps.html

Responding in the Arctic

Protect habitats Hazing and deterrence Euthanasia and/or rehabilitation

Mobilise euthanasia response Capture oiled animals, transport to nearest permanent facility Or create temporary facility

Offshore/on-ice access, H&S Logistics

Animal transport Buildings of opportunity

Regional capability?

Pool resources Mobile response units (e.g. Finland BCU) Floating facilities?

Arctic wildlife response unit (rehabilitators, vets, hunters and volunteers) Training for Arctic species and conditions

Arctic wildlife planning is key – agree safest, practical strategy and communicate it!

Thank-you www.sea-alarm.org