NO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REQUIRED

Posted on 08/26/2016

Earlier this year Crystal Cruises submitted an application to the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) for the Crystal Serenity voyage through the Northwest Passage. It is the first large cruise ship to navigate the waters of Canada’s Arctic archipelago. In spite of environmental concerns relayed during the application review process the board has decided that the sailing "is unlikely to result in significant adverse environmental and social impacts" suggesting that no environmental assessment is required.

The NIRB has recommended that Canada’s Indigenous and Northern Affairs minister, Carolyn Bennett, and other Canadian authorities, approve their decision announced August 23.
Crystal Serenity is scheduled to arrive in Cambridge Bay August 29 and Pond Inlet September 5.
Michael Byers, international affairs professor at the University of British Columbia and expert on climate change and Arctic sovereignty said there is “serious tension in taking a large cruise ship with a very large carbon footprint to the Northwest Passage to take advantage of the melting caused by climate change.”
"My question is whether the board has considered the impact of all of the future voyages of large cruise ships that are likely to follow this one," said Byers.
The NIRB heard from the Government of Nunavut's Department of Environment who reminded the board "polar bears are a designated species of special concern." They made the following recommendations:
Expedition boats should stay clear of any swimming polar bears and under no circumstance should approach them, and “should polar bears be encountered during boat operations, evasive boat manoeuvres should be employed to allow the bears free movement.
Crew should carry 12-gauge shotguns that can be used to fire non-lethal deterrents and are the standard bear deterrent firearm in Nunavut. “Lethal rounds should only be used in the defense of life or property with deterrents, such as bangers, screamers, air horns, and noise makers, included in stranding kits taken ashore during land-based activities.
As helicopters can cause stress to wildlife, there must be measures to mitigate impacts to wildlife during flights “including maintaining horizontal and vertical buffer distances and avoiding circling during observations.
There should be more education to passengers on the possible dangers of all Arctic wildlife and “not just polar bears that could pose a risk to passengers.
The NIRB has developed a plan with 32 terms and conditions for the cruise ship addressing wildlife as well as the handling of fuel and hazardous waste.
Paul Garcia, spokesman for Crystal Cruises said the liner has done their due diligence, and are exceeding government requirements. He noted that The Serenity is using low-sulphur fuel, which reduces the black carbon that lands on ice and accelerates melting. The cruise line has also requested that passengers purchase $50,000 evacuation insurance.
Professor Byer’s fear is that other cruise liners with smaller budgets will take short cuts and potentially cause damage to passengers as well as the environment.
His sentiment is shared with Hurtigruten cruises' CEO Daniel Skjeldam who has called for limits to be set on the size of cruise ships visiting the Arctic, stating the discrepancy when liners have five to six times more passengers on board than the communities they are visiting.
Skjeldam is calling for sustainability in Arctic expeditions, suggesting a ban on heavy fuels.
The Canadian government has yet to respond to the NIRB decision.