3 September 2016: A report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) finds the critically endangered western gray whale population is showing signs of recovery, but remains at risk from industry activity in its habitat. IUCN released the report at its World Conservation Congress (WCC), taking place in Hawai’i, the US.

The report, titled ‘Stories of Influence,’ examines the results from an IUCN-led independent panel of scientists, the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP), that has advised Sakhalin Energy on its efforts to limit its operations’ impacts on whales and their habitat in the Russian Federation’s Far East waters. Among the achievements highlighted in the report is a decision by Sakhalin Energy to change the route of its pipeline to minimize disruption and impact on the whales’ feeding grounds as well as a satellite-tagging program that documented a 10,880 kilometer journey of one whale, the longest one-way migration of any mammal. Over the past 12 years, the panel has issued over 500 recommendations to the company and other parties, with 90% of these recommendations being either implemented or superseded by subsequent advice.

The report highlights an increase in the western gray whale population from approximately 115 animals in 2004 to 174 in 2015, an annual increase of 3-4%. Still, the report cautions that more oil and gas operators and fishing companies in the region need to join these efforts to ensure the long-term recovery of the Sakhalin whale populations. WGWAP panelist, Doug Nowacek, elaborated, “Sakhalin Energy has demonstrated that it is possible for companies to mitigate their impacts and still operate effectively. But other companies in Sakhalin need to take similar measures to address the problem of cumulative impacts of industry on the marine environment.” IUCN Director General, Inger Andersen, said “IUCN has shown that independent scientific panels are an effective mechanism to arrive at evidence-based and robust solutions to some of today’s pressing environment and development challenges.”

Under a new 2017-2021 agreement between IUCN and Sakhalin Energy, the WGWAP will continue to provide scientific advice to the company and explore opportunities for mainstreaming similar lending conditions to enhance conservation measures. IUCN also released a guide designed to help the oil and gas industry carry out geophysical surveys at the WCC. [IUCN Press Release] [IUCN Red List Press Release] [WCC Website] [IISD RS Coverage of the WCC] [Stories of Influence]