The WWF-supported campaigns which was already underway in Alaska and Russia to protect vulnerable fisheries and communities, has got another support from Norwegians communities and conservationists. It is informed that the campaigns are supported by studies showing oil returns would be less than those provided in the long term through the protection and sustainable exploitation of resources.
Rasmus Hanssen, Secretary General of WWF Norway, raises question saying that it is complete madness to trade in a sustainable fishery that could continue to accommodate the interests of both people and nature for generations, for a few years of quick and dirty profits from oil? He added that in Norway, the Lofoten and Vesteralen areas have almost unparalleled natural values: unique cold water reefs; pods of sperm whales and killer whales; some of the largest seabird colonies in Europe, and the spawning grounds of the largest remaining cod stock in the world.
According to the information available oil and gas drilling there would bring in an estimated $7.7 billion over the 25-40 years that it would take to suck dry the petroleum reserves. In contrast, the area’s fishing industry brings in $2.2 billion per year, a total of $50-80 billion over the same time period. Neil Hamilton, Director of the WWF International Arctic Programme, opined that all over the Arctic the voice is same and the governments are pushed to drill in places that have a far higher to local people and to the world if they are simply left alone.
