S/R#2 Beluga and Human

In Jolings’ (2008) article, “Government declares beluga whale endangered”, the government proclaimed that the beluga whales of Alaska’s Cook Inlet are in danger. And their decision will affect the number of major Alaska projects such as an expansion of the port of Anchorage, or additional offshore oil and gas drilling. However Sarah Palin, who is the Republican vice presidential candidate and the governor of the state of Alaska, dsagrees with government decision. In addition, Palin in discontent about the environmental protection problem refuses the listing of Beluga whales on the endangered list for the reason that the scientific proof is not enough, while we cannot be sure about survival of the Beluga. Although the concern that low population of beluga whales in Cook Inlet was regarded seriously for many years, Palin said that it is untimely. Her lobby to delay the listing decision about whales was successful in April. The further delay would be harmful. The Cook Inlet population hampered recovery because of the development and industrial activities encompassing those related to oil and gas exploration. The environmentalists are glad about the federal decision. Belugas eat the salmon, smaller fish, crab, shrimp, squid and clams. And the killer whales are natural enemies of them. A question of why the population had not recovered still remains. Besides, there are other concerns about their distribution, not only in numbers. They aren’t coming after moving to northern Cook Inlet near Anchorage in recent years. The noise and pollution connected with industrialization of the inlet prevents recovery. And other factors such as global warming, changing ocean conditions and higher temperatures in salmon streams will affect it. Beluga is a solitary endangered population in Alaska waters.

I know that their population is not many in the ocean anymore and their habitats are also decreasing more. Actually, Beluga is regarded as endangered animals in some countries. They face a number of dangers such as developing of the ocean, whaling under the name of scientific purpose, and noise because of human activity. And it is clearly true that they need help for their existence.

First, the federal government should take the safe plan to protect the belugas’ habitat. The destruction of their inhabitation by developing the ocean, for example by constructing a dam, causes them to lose their habitat. For example, the Cook Inlet in Alaska is their major habitat. However, recently, the oil drilling affects the reduction of their population or makes them to move another place. Also, it can cause exorbitant pollution in the ocean because of the oil spillage events. So, they need a safe measure to prevent their habitat from this exploitation.

Second, we should maintain close watch on whaling for scientific research data about whales. Numerous whales are still caught by people who have a scientific purpose. However, now, whales that are caught for the purpose of studying are sold in markets of Japan. Also, some meat of whales is provided for meals of students. This story is not Belugas’. However, if these are continued, we would not say that Beluga is an exception in the future, because already some countries such as Norway are catching the Belugas.

Finally, we should make efforts to prevent noise pollution. Belugas, which are called canaries of the sea, communicate with each other by a variety of sounds. However, because of a change of circumstances that the noise pollution of ocean depths has taken a serious turn, a number of belugas are losing their sense of direction through being annoyed by noises. As a result, it has become one of the causes that they go to their death. The biggest factors that cause the noise pollution that makes Belugas die are searching for crude oil, natural gas, and increasing vessels of traffic volume. Therefore, we should make a treaty to require the equipment for prevention of noise of everyone who makes noise that affects the Beluga in the ocean.

In conclusion, the many environmental problems are often connected with people’s profit. Belugas’ inhabitations are decreasing through indiscreet development by people who only pursue their profit. The federal government should think about the harmful effect that the exploitation gives to them and make regulations before approving the permissions of the ocean.

Reference

Joling, D. (2008, October 17). Government declares beluga whale endangered The Associated Press. Retrieved October 28, 2008 from http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gJx0IzvRt6GWrUBb90Foe4URCGagD93SGV0G0