Whales being washed ashore not caused by oil drilling – EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has dismissed reports that recent incidence of whales being washed onto Ghanaian shores is as a result of oil drilling and well development at Cape Three Points.

It says the phenomenon is global and already investigations have been launched into finding its cause.

“Within the last four months, 10 whales were reported to have been washed ashore in various locations in Asia, the Americas and New Zealand,” a statement on Thursday, September 5, 2013 from the Public Affairs Department of EPA said.

It added: “Indeed, from February 2011 to September 2, 2013, over 120 different types of whales have been reported washed ashore at various locations around the globe.”

The statement noted that a number of reasons may be responsible for the death of the whales.

“Indeed, some documentaries have shown killer whales attacking young baleen whales. The definite reasons for the increasing incidences of whales being washed ashore in recent times have not been fully explained, and marine scientists in various jurisdictions are continuing investigations to establish the possible causes of the phenomenon.”

The EPA explained that oil companies in Ghana have met Ghana’s Environmental Assessment (EA) requirements regarding drilling offshore.

“We wish to reiterate the fact that no Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for oil and gas operations has been accepted by the Agency as satisfactory without consideration of impacts on marine fauna which include Cetaceans (whales), fish, and marine turtles as well as other benthic fauna," the statement stressed.

It continues that "all environmental impact statements, including those of oil and gas activities, are made public and are accessible in the relevant Metropolitan/Municipal/District Assemblies and EPA headquarters, Regional and District offices where applicable."

It assured the public that oil companies employ Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) in attempts to avoid harming whales.

“In the night when it is impossible for the MMOs to observe the mammals, the companies deploy devices that are able to detect these mammals and are able to conduct their operations without harm to the mammals. The EPA follows these requirements critically to see to it that the operators do not harm these mammals unnecessarily."