Trashing the Arctic Seas

One hundred and forty dollar a barrel oil has got the exploration companies all fired up and out to find more black gold. Seismic surveys are the main tool of exploration and involve making the loudest noise in the ocean. The National Marine Fisheries and Mineral Management Services of the Department of Interior have approved permits for conducting seismic surveys in the Chukcki and Beaufort Seas in 2008. The noise associated with the exploration activity is known to cause hearing loss in marine mamals, disruption of feeding and migrating behavior, and has been associated with whale strandings. Despite all the negative impacts on protected species like the bowhead whale and polar bears the permits have been issued with inadequate environmental review and in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The permits are being challenged by conservationists in court.