The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development has issued a report presenting the results of a performance audit focused on marine navigation in the Canadian Arctic.
Marine traffic and navigational risks in Canada’s Arctic
Marine transportation plays a critical role in the sustainability of the region, as it is the primary means of moving goods to, from, and through Canada’s Arctic. According to Canadian Coast Guard statistics, there were about 350 marine voyages in 2013. Although this volume of vessel traffic is low compared with Canada’s southern waters, Arctic voyages have been increasing over the last 20 years. Much of this increase is from fishing vessels as well as tug boats, pleasure craft, research vessels, and passenger vessels.
This trend is expected to continue in coming years, driven largely by growing northern communities, expanding resource development projects, and increasing tourism. For example, renewed interest in oil and gas exploration and development in the Beaufort Sea is expected to lead to more vessel and barge traffic. East of Baffin Island, fishing boats are now able to operate in more northerly areas, and over a longer season. Environment Canada has estimated that new mining projects in the eastern Arctic could result in about 300 new voyages per year by 2020, nearly doubling current traffic levels. The Canadian Coast Guard expects that as resource development projects move forward in Canada’s Arctic region, the size and variety of ships will increase, as will the demand for services.
Increased shipping opportunities in Arctic waters come with increased risks to safety and the environment. The Canadian Arctic waters are vast, remote, and can be hazardous to navigate, with much of these waters covered in ice for many months of the year. The 2009 Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA) by the Arctic Council cautions that although sea ice is receding, marine operations will remain challenging. Through 2020, the Northwest Passage is not expected to become a viable, regularly scheduled route across the Arctic for larger commercial ships. The AMSA notes that this is due to the highly variable ice conditions, the complexity of the archipelago, shallow waters in some locations, a lack of adequate charts, and insurance costs.
Reports from the federal government and international bodies recognize thatArctic marine shipping, if not properly managed, poses a threat to natural ecosystems. Transportation Safety Board of Canada records indicate marine accidents and incidents have occurred in Canada’s Arctic that included groundings, capsizings or sinkings, collisions, and damage by ice. If marine traffic continues to increase as expected, marine incidents could become more frequent. Canadian Coast Guard data from 2002 to 2013 identifies about 100 spills from vessels in Canada’s Arctic waters, most of which were petroleum products such as diesel fuel and gasoline. None of the spills were estimated to be larger than 30 cubic metres. However, given the fragile environment, harsh weather conditions, limited infrastructure, and the direct dependence of communities on those ecosystems, marine spills as a result of shipping are considered one of the most serious threats to Arctic ecosystems.
Further details may be found by reading the Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on Marine Navigation in the Canadian Arcitc
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