Read this story from the Victoria Times Colonist on the impacts of supertankers related to the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipelines on threatened humpback whales. (March 9, 2012)

The proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline threatens critical habitat of humpback whales off the coast of British Columbia, say newly released internal federal documents from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The warning was included in a summary of a draft recovery strategy for the species that was to be introduced in 2010.

Humpback whales were listed in 2005 as “threatened” under the federal Species At Risk Act, requiring the government to produce the recovery plan, but the species has been increasing in numbers and presence off the B.C. coast.

If built, the Northern Gateway pipeline would link the oilsands region of Alberta to a shipping terminal in Kitimat, on the northwest coast, opening the door for more Canadian oil exports across the Pacific Ocean to Asia.

The federal Fisheries Department said it did not have any research scientists available to answer questions on Thursday about the recovery plan for humpback whales, but its internal records, released through access to information legislation, highlighted potential threats from the pipeline proposed by Alberta-based Enbridge Inc.

“The draft recovery strategy recommends determining appropriate management measures for shipping corridors within humpback whale critical habitat to mitigate underwater noise impacts to foraging and vessel strikes,” said a list of “media lines” prepared in April 2010 by a department communications officer, Kirsten Ruecker.

“One of the areas identified as critical habitat is located within the routine vessel route for tankers and other marine traffic associated with the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project’s proposed marine terminal in Kitimat.”

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/business/Gateway+pipeline+would+threaten+whales/6276575/story.html