1. AEC and Sharing Statoil’s leaning’s from the North Slope
Kjerstin S. Lange, Leading advisor IA and SP Statoil
Classification: Internal
© Statoil ASA
23 august 2015

2. Why were we part of this:
Statoil had operations in Chukchi Sea with villages in the neighborhood or others that possibly could be affected
Classification: Internal © Statoil ASA
23 august 2015

3. Partnering communities and organisations
Point Hope
Wainwright
Kotzebue
Wainwright Trilateral Committee:
City
Tribe
Olgoonik (native cooperation)
Native Village of Point Hope
City of Point Hope
Native Village of Kotzebue
179284• Traditional Ecological Knowledge on Acoustic Disturbance• Jürgen Weissenberger
Classification: Internal © Statoil ASA
23 august 2015

4. During meetings we got specific request from communities to use traditional knowledge
«do you use all the knowlege we have about our ecosystem?»
“Would you agree that there needs to be a meeting of Traditional knowledge and Western Science? “- Kivalina
“We’ve gone through many years of interactions with federal governments and industry operators to try and get TK into the research, and it goes a long way when you take that step and include TK into western science.” -H. Brower, 2010 Open Water Meeting
“You need a mix of biologists and MMOs to contribute TK & local knowledge.”
Classification: Internal © Statoil ASA
23 august 2015

5. We initiated, conducted and finished the following project: Traditional Knowledge on Marine Mammals Reactions to Sound
Objective: to work with communities to better understand how small scale disturbances (sound, vision, smells) affect marine mammals.
Conduct semi-directed interviews to document knowledge on how marine mammals respond to sound and other stimuli
Classification: Internal © Statoil ASA
23 august 2015

6. Classification: Internal © Statoil ASA
23 august 2015

7. How did this information help Statoil and the Communities?
More complete information about the environment
More understanding about potential impacts to marine mammals and communities
Better opportunities to avoid or mitigate impacts
More interaction between communities and scientists and industry about plans, concerns, feedback, mutual understanding
We got a set of semi quantitative description of marine mammal reaction to noise that was not documented and available before
Classification: Internal © Statoil ASA
23 august 2015

8. Our learnings Including all relevant groups is key for success.
Follow local advice.
A small, focused and relevant study that gets finished is better than a big one with open end.
Reach out to all (elders, young), you do not know beforehand who has good information.
Be present, stay longer in communities, be approachable.
Give regularly updates to communities on progress.
Follow the rules on community approval.
Share results and materials with all partners.
We got a set of semi quantitative description of marine mammal reaction to noise that was not documented before
Classification: Internal © Statoil ASA
23 august 2015

9. Recommendations (from a list of 13)
Slide 9
Recommendations (from a list of 13)
1) Minimize or avoid noise
Access and verify sound emissions
Educate crew how to minimize work noise
2) Plan for near shore operations to be conducted perpendicular to shore
5) Allow the front animals in a migration to pass undisturbed
8) Avoid banging or knocking noises and other abrupt shifts in sound level
179284• Traditional Ecological Knowledge on Acoustic Disturbance• Jürgen Weissenberger
Classification: Internal © Statoil ASA
23 august 2015

10. Slide 10
On a side note, Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission stated that they appreciate Statoil for investing in the Tradition Knowledge data gathering. Jürgen and Jen are doing a very thorough job on including the entities, elders and youth in the villages. They also indicated that they are very impressed with the work they have done so far; and are looking forward to seeing the report when it is done. Thank you for supporting your time and efforts on this important project.
Happy Holidays!! Taikuu.
179284• Traditional Ecological Knowledge on Acoustic Disturbance• Jürgen Weissenberger
Classification: Internal © Statoil ASA
23 august 2015

11. Example Beluga Undisturbed behavior: Swim speed Dive intervals (5 min)
Loose group density
Disturbed behavior:
Diving faster
Diving longer
Synchronized diving
Swim faster
Increased group density
Sound stimuli:
Footsteps on ice
Snow machine on ice
Barking dogs
Paddle hitting boat
179284• Traditional Ecological Knowledge on Acoustic Disturbance• Jürgen Weissenberger