The Arctic This Week Take Five: Week of 8 May, 2023
New Study Finds Fiber Optic Cables Effective at Monitoring Whales in the Arctic
As reported by phys.org on May 09, a new study published in Frontiers in Marine Science has demonstrated that fiber optic cables are capable of mapping the presence and location of whales over large areas and extendedperiods in near real-time. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) conducted real time recording of underwater vibrations and sounds using existing fiber optic cables off the coast of Svalbard. The data collected was used to identify different whale species and track the movement of eight whales along a section of cable for five hours. (phys.org)
Take 1: Fiber optic cables are strands of glass fibers inside an insulated casing which line the coasts of continents and crisscross the seabed, to support much of the world’s data networking and telecommunication services. Researchers have long sought to capitalise on the fiber optic cable infrastructure to improve tools available to monitor the presence and movement of whales. Using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), a system which sends laser pulses into a fiber optic system and records the returning light pulses, researchers from NTNU were able to transform fiber optic cables into a series of hydrophones, a type of microphone that’s specifically designed to be used for the detection of underwater noise. Based along parallel 250 km long fiber-optic cables in Svalbard, the researchers were able to estimate the location of whales with an accuracy of roughly 100 meters, within an area of roughly 1800 km2. Whilst the capability of fiber optic cables demonstrated by the investigation could be applied anywhere in the world, the study highlights the particular value for the detailed mapping of whale location in the Arctic Ocean. The presence and intensity of human activities are evolving with Arctic sea-ice loss. Likewise, warmer sea-surface temperatures are forcing some cetaceans to change their seasonal habits resulting in more frequent ship strikes of marine mammals. Fiber optic whale mapping coupled with ship detection could offer a real-time collision avoidance system which would reduce ship strikes. The practical use of such a measure and apparent ease of application is a hopeful development for arctic marine wildlife. (European Environment Agency, Frontiers, Lifewire, phys.org, WWF)
Clean Arctic Alliance Issue Recommendations for New Arctic Council Chair
As reported by High North News on May 09, the Clean Arctic Alliance published an open letter of recommendations to the incoming chair of the Arctic Council, Norway’s Arctic Ambassador Morten Høglund. Key themes discussed by the recommendations include the protection of the Arctic environment, promotion of climate and green energy solutions, support for people in the Arctic and the development of a stronger Arctic Council. Consisting of 20 not-for-profit organisations, the Clean Arctic Alliance is a coalition that campaigns to protect the Arctic from the impacts of shipping. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council is due to transfer from Russia to Norway on May 11. (High North News)
Take 2: Shrinking sea ice coverage caused by warmer temperatures, has opened Arctic sea routes earlier in the season and heightened shipping traffic by 25%, with further growth expected. As a result, ahead of Norway’s forthcoming two-year Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, the Clean Arctic Alliance has called for the prioritisation of new measures mitigating the negative environmental impact of Arctic shipping. Specific measures outlined within the Clean Arctic Alliance’s open letter seek to minimise greenhouse gas emissions (including black carbon and methane) and pollution discharge from heavy fuel oil shipping tankers; reduce the risk of oil spills; and address underwater radiated noise. To an extent such measures align with Norway’s published Arctic chair priority topics. However, to successfully endorse recommendations such as mandatory International Maritime Organisation (IMO) measures on reducing and eliminating black carbon emissions from shipping in and near the Arctic, the Arctic Council will need to draw on the diplomatic leverage associated with Arctic Council Member State unity. However, currently, relationships within the Arctic Council remain fractured following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. The likelihood of Norway restoring multilateral cooperation is uncertain. The upcoming handover of the Arctic Council chairmanship from Russia to Norway will be an important insight into the future of northern circumpolar partnerships. (High North News, The Arctic Council, The Arctic Institute)
New Study Identifies Microbes in the Arctic Capable of Digesting Plastic at Low Temperatures
As reported by phys.org on May 10, a new study published in Frontiers in Microbiology found microbes in alpine and Arctic soils capable of degrading plastics at lower temperatures. Scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute WSL sampled strains of bacteria and fungi growing on free-lying and intentionally buried plastic. Each strain was screened for its ability to digest sterile samples of different plastics. Results demonstrated several strains were capable of degrading certain plastics, and at lower temperatures than previously studied microbes. (phys.org)
Take 3: Plastic pollution is a pervasive problem in the Arctic. Although some pollution is from local sources, plastic is also frequently carried from lower latitudes to the Arctic by ocean currents, atmospheric transport and rivers. Even if plastic emissions are halted today, fragmentation of legacy plastic will lead to an increasing microplastic burden. To address the pollution problem, several studies have found, cultivated and bioengineered organisms that can digest plastic. However, typically this process will only work at temperatures above 30°C. The heating required means that industrial applications remain costly and aren’t carbon neutral. Consequently, the discovery of low temperature plastic-eating microbes in the Arctic and the alps could be a critical recycling breakthrough. The authors intend to build on their initial findings by identifying the enzymes produced by the study’s microbial strains and optimizing their production. Following this, the team hopes to learn more about important characteristics such as temperature optima and enzyme stability which will dictate whether the low-temperature microbes can be used for industrial application. Given the recent boom in single-use plastic usage during the Covid-19 pandemic and the corresponding effect on global ecology, studies such as this are increasingly imperative. (Science, The Arctic Institute, The Guardian, VICE, World Economic Forum)
Canadian North Airline Announces Cuts to Services in Northwest Territories and Nunavut
As reported by The Globe and Mail on May 05, the airline Canadian North announced plans to reduce flight service to some communities in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories (NWT) as part of its new summer schedule. The schedule alterations primarily affect seat availability, with Norman Wells in NWT experiencing the most significant cutback. Flights to both Inuvik and Yellowknife from this location will see a reduction of 50% to 54% in available seats. (The Globe and Mail)
Take 4: Following a merger with First Air in 2019, Canadian North maintains a virtual monopoly on commercial air travel across the Canadian Arctic. During a public review of the merger, the Competition Bureau advised the effects of the transaction were likely to include reductions in passenger and cargo capacity, increases in price, and reductions in flight schedules. At the time both airlines refuted the Bureau’s objections, stating that the Bureau had failed to recognize the airlines’ constitutional mandates to represent the interests of Inuit in the Nunavik and Inuvialuit regions. Nevertheless, recent federal approval of changes to the terms and conditions of the 2019 merger has confirmed the Bureau’s concerns. Changes have allowed the airline to reduce service to northern communities to as little as one flight per week, while paving the way for passenger and cargo rates to increase by 25% per year. Reasons given for the cuts to services in the recent summer schedule reference the impact of COVID-19 on the cost of interest rates and pilot training. However, the latest move by Canadian North may result in worrisome costs to the public interest. In many northern communities, air travel is the only way to travel year-round, and as a result the northern economy is heavily dependent on airline services to provide necessary consultants, trades workers and tourists from southern Canada. Given local northern economies have only begun to financially recover following the relaxation of pandemic restrictions and the worsening cost of living crisis, the concern expressed by community leaders over service cuts appears justified. (CBC News, CTV News, Government of Canada, The Conversation)
Government of Northwest Territories Will Dissolve Fort Resolution Hamlet Council
As reported by CBC News on May 08, the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), Shane Thompson, has determined that the hamlet of Fort Resolution is experiencing several financial and operational difficulties. As a result, MACA has issued the community government with formal notice of its intent to dissolve the council and place the hamlet under the control of a territorially appointed administrator. In anticipation of this action, the mayor of Fort Resolution, Patrick Simon, has preemptively announced his immediate resignation. (CBC News)
Take 5: Fort Resolution’s financial and operational problems are not new. A recent ruling in an unfair dismissal case for six former Fort Resolution community council employees, included evidence which revealed the hamlet had practically run out of money by the spring of 2019. During this period, the community entered into a co-management plan with MACA, providing a financial audit to MACA each year and quarterly financial statements. Other support included a review of financial bylaws and guidance on a recovery plan to address the hamlet’s deficit. In 2020 the co-management plan was left to expire, as the community government appeared to take control of affairs. Nevertheless, a 2021 financial audit from a third party indicated that the situation had once again deteriorated. MACA requested the hamlet government complete a deficit recovery plan, but this, along with various financial audits, reports, and the 2023-24 budget, have not been submitted as required by the Hamlets Act. Once the MCA appointed administrator gains control of the hamlet’s governance, an investigation will determine the next steps to resolve the financial crisis and stabilize the hamlet’s government. Similar scenarios have arisen in other small northern communities, such as the 2014 case of Fort McPherson, where the community government was facing a deficit of more than $2 million. Likewise, a 2017 municipal inspection found the community of Norman Wells was similarly experiencing operation difficulties. Notably, Norman Wells elected a new community council a year following MACA’s intervention. The direct interference of MACA during periods of intense crises appears to be an important measure to reconnect community governments with the territorial administration. Time will tell how the hamlet of Fort Resolution will adjust to interim measures and the shape of their future community government leadership. (Cabin Radio, CBC News, Eye on the Arctic, Government of Northwest Territories)