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The Arctic This Week May 9 - May 15, 2016

ByMieke Coppes,Doris Friedrich, andRyan Uljua May 19, 2016

Welcome and thanks for joining us this week! We hope that you find TATW interesting and entertaining to read. If you’re not a subscriber yet, you cansign up here. As always, all editorial choices, opinions and any mistakes are the authors’ own. Anything that we missed? Please feel free to share material with us if you think it deserves inclusion in TATW.

CALL for PAPERS

Wuhan University (China) and the University of New England (Australia) are pleased to announce a call for papers for the “Conservation of Marine Living Resources in the Polar Regions: Science, Politics and Law” Conference, to be held in Wuhan in March 2017. Interested in submitting a paper? Check the University’swebpage for more information.

THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Obama meets with Nordic nations

President Obama met with the five leaders of the Nordic nations at a state dinner last Friday. In the course of the meeting, one country seems to have specifically been neglected: Russia. While it has been made clear that the concerns over Russia was a topic at the meeting, a range of other issues were discussed, including climate change and the oil and gas industry (AD,AD). The White House releasedthis joint statement following the meeting. Many see the pledge that the leaders took to ensure that applying climate goals and environmental standards will apply to commercial activities as having major implications in the region (WP). For more,NRK has an article in Norwegian about the event.

Arctic energy exits approaching critical mass?

A recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by environmental watchdog Oceana has revealed the extent to which major oil and gas companies are abandoning offshore exploration activities in the American Arctic (Bloomberg). In 2008, a number of companies purchased newly-available exploration leases covering broad swathes of the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Now, Oceana’s FOIA request shows that about 80% of those leases have been forfeited. The biggest loser in the Arctic pullout has been Shell, which the latest FOIA shows has relinquished the rights to explore all but one of its original blocks (US News,IBO). Other firms that have relinquished offshore leases in the US Arctic include ConocoPhillips, ENI, and Iona Energy (AD,PN). Bloomberg, who first broke the news of Oceana’s FOIA request, has avideo segment on the pullout. Oceana and other the environmental groups have hailed the revelations as a sign that offshore Arctic oil exploration may have reached its historical endpoint (Oil Gas Daily,Daily Kos). On the other hand, some industry players remain optimistic that there is simply too much offshore oil and gas in the Arctic for it to go untapped for long (AD,PN).

Warming climate increases risk of wildfires in the Arctic

While Canada’s Northwest Territories (NWT) (CBC) and Siberia (ST) already had to deal with wildfires this year, Alaska is on alert due to the dry and hot weather conditions (APM). The warming climate contributes to the increasing risk of wildfires (NRK, in Norwegian). To avoid a deterioration of the situation, the NWT Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) has temporarily suspended issuing burn permits (CBC).

New white paper on the economic priorities of Svalbard

Last week, the Norwegian government presented awhite paper on Svalbard highlighting the new government priorities. To diversify the archipelago’s economy and allow a recovery after the slump in the coal mining industry, the white paper suggests the new economic focus should be on tourism, shipping, research and higher education (IBO,AJ,Sputnik). However, Terje Aunevik of the Svalbard Chamber of Commerce would have preferred an earlier and more specific plan (HNN, in Norwegian). Stein-Gunnar Bondevik, regional director of Innovation Norway and Christian Chramer, regional director of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), are concerned that the focus on Svalbard is not sufficient and point to changes needed in Norway’s legislation (HNN, in Norwegian).

THE POLITICAL SCENE

Transnational

U.S.-Russian Cooperation in the Arctic (NYT).

Canada

Canada Will Implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (HNN).

Why Canada Can't Have the North Pole (AD).

The United States

U.S. to Switch on European Missile Shield Despite Russian Alarm (AD).

With Mine Project Looming, Western Alaska Villages Consider a New Borough (AD).

At Tense Alaska Democratic Convention, Allegations of Clinton Favoritism Fly (AD).

U.S. and the Arctic in the Last Two Decades (De Gruyter).

Teenage Delegate Prepares for Alaska Democratic Convention (APM).

As Firms Abandon Arctic Drilling, Obama Comes Under Pressure to do More to Avert Dangerous Warming There (AD).

Challenges and Joys of Crafting a Yup'ik Ballot (APM).

Russia

Karelia Has the Most Government-Critical Media (IBO).

Re-Colonising the Arctic: The Preparation of Spatial Planning Policy in Murmansk Oblast, Russia (Sage Journals).

Finland

Baltic Sea Security Depends on Nordic-Russian Dialogue- Finnish President (Sputnik).

Human Traffickers Detained by Finnish Border Guards (IBO).

Sweden

More Swedes are for Joining NATO Than Against(IBO).

Norway

Per Sandberg First Minister to Visit Russia After Crimea Annexation (IBO).

Greenland/Denmark

Arctic Circle Greenland Forum: A Historic Success (KNR, in Danish).

Donald Tusk Even Asked to Come to Greenland(KNR, in Danish).

Race for the North pole National Vanity, Says Commander of the Royal Danish Defence College(HNN).

A Lighter Shade of Green (AJ).

Seeing the Report for the Trees (AJ).

ENERGY

Canada

Old Arctic Drilling Permits Hold Up Protection for Narwhal Whales (Takepart).

Norway

According to a new report published by Norwegian law professors, the continued exploration for oil and natural gas in Norway’s High North may be in violation of several international agreements and even the Norwegian Constitution (IBO;Full Report, in Norwegian)

Svalbard message contains very little about future energy supply (HNN, in Norwegian).

Russia

UPDATE 1-Novatek still working on Gydan Peninsula Arctic LNG plan (Reuters).

Commentary: Future imperfect? (HNN).

United States

The Alaska Oil & Gas Association’s 50th anniversary celebration and annual convention will be held at the Dena'ina Civic & Center in Anchorage on May 25 (AOGA,PN).

Kara Moriarty, President & CEO of the Alaska Oil & Gas Association, penned an op-ed on the current problems and prospects the Alaskan oil and gas industry face (AJOC).

Oil and gas sector faces new federal rules to curb methane emissions (AD).

39 years in the making, Exxon hopes Point Thomson is down payment on a gas line (APM).

Floor debate set to begin on oil and gas tax bill (APM).

Producers reject state demand for details on gas sales (AJOC).

Arctic Offshore Leasing Argued for Oil, Gas (Bloomberg BNA).

Slope drilling steady (PN).

Exxon’s Pt Thomson development wins AOGA 2016 project of the year award (PN).

Furie jack-up rig on location (PN).

Commission OKs Beaver Creek pool (PN).

Milne Point Pipeline applies to move gas (PN).

Hilcorp planning Milne Point revival (PN).

CINGSA mineral rights decision upheld (PN).

Nutaaq files to increase pipeline tariff (PN).

Southcentral exploration licensing OK’d (PN).

Months of anticipation and excitement (PN).

Transnational

Getting ready for joint Russian-Norwegian offshore drilling (IBO).

SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Arctic bird shrinks due to climate change

The size of the red knot, a bird that migrates from the Arctic to Africa, is shrinking due to the warming climate. As the snow melts earlier in the Arctic, newborn red knot chicks miss the period of plentiful food supply of insects and grow smaller in size as a result. During the winters, which the birds spend in tropical habitats, they struggle to reach the shellfish on which they depend for food (EurekAlert!,BBC). This is the conclusion reached in a study that conducted by an international team of scientists and published last week inScience.

Earth sciences, climate and weather

New Pavlof Volcano rumblings could be prelude to eruption (AD).

Across much of the Arctic, a thawing landscape is sinking (AD).

Ice-Blog: Arctic sea ice, Greenland and Europe’s weird weather (EOTA).

Reducing spring flood impacts: an international project implemented by “Natural Hazards” Thematic Network (UArctic).

Fractures seen in rapidly melting Arctic sea ice, and it's only May (Mashable).

New way for Canadians to explore threatened Arctic wildlife paradise launches today (interactive map) (AJ).

Center provisionally updates its Arctic sea ice data for first time in a month—it's a scary picture (Daily Kos).

Wildlife and ecology

How one study concluded that government-approved wolf culls can lead to more poaching (AD).

Watch live: Are the big salmons coming? (NRK, in Norwegian)

Uncovering the secrets of Arctic seabird colonies (Phys.org).

Polar bears - Climate change is a bigger threat than trophy hunting (AJ).

A Polar Bear’s Eye View (AJ).

How Arctic spring kills birds in Africa (SD).

Mystery disease showing up in Bering Sea ribbon seals (AD).

Younger contaminants in ocean fish (forskning, in Norwegian).

AOOS (Alaska Ocean Observing System) launches portal for Cook Inlet beluga whale data (AJOC).

Hydaburg to enhance POW wolf study (Prince of Wales Island, Alaska) (APM).

Scientists investigate social patterns of salmon (APM).

Salmon acceleration up Copper River may be due to early breakup (APM).

What Does the Pacific Arctic's New Normal Mean for Marine Life? (EOS)

Walrus hauling out at new Bristol Bay spot north of Ugashik (Alaska) (APM).

Two marine mammal specialists conduct Kodiak’s first whale survey of 2016 (APM).

Environmental management

Stray dogs in Ross River, Yukon, have become dangerous for the locals, but an easy solution is not at hand (CBC,CBC).

Greenpeace: Denmark blocks marine reserves (KNR, in Danish).

Alaskan invents flashy coats to safeguard tiny dogs from predators (AD).

New kind of bear hunt from eye in the sky (ST).

Key victory in campaign to save Lake Baikal from Mongolian 'eco-threat' (ST).

Eco-resort planned for remote area of Yukon's Kluane National Park (CBC).

F&W names new Alaska regional director (PN).

Research and university news

The world’s first zero emission polar research station (UArctic).

Harald Ellingsen appointed new UNIS Director (HNN, in Norwegian).

Winnipeg students learn polar bear research techniques at zoo school (CBC).

This means a revised national budget for research (forskning, in Norwegian).

Archaeology and history

What secrets are hidden in these runes? (forskning, in Norwegian)

MILITARY / SEARCH & RESCUE

Norway

Nuclear-powered sub makes port call to Tromsø (IBO).

Bellona: Rent back Olavsvern naval base for visiting nuclear subs (IBO).

Russia

Satan’s successor comes this autumn (IBO).

Flight model of Russia’s heavy duty transformer drone undergoes trials (VIDEO) (RT).

First Test-Flight of New Russian Arctic Surveillance Drone (Sputnik).

Russia’s Northern Fleet Troops Work Out New 2016 Arctic Winter Tasks (Sputnik).

MINING

Canada

Goldcorp Steps Up Deal Making as Metal Rally Bolsters Shares (Bloomberg).

Goldcorp's plan to buy Kaminak 'great news for the Yukon' (CBC).

Klondike mining claims sold at heavy equipment auction (CBC).

Demand grows in N.W.T. for drone-led site surveys (CBC).

Mining project will harm caribou, says Yukon board (CBC).

New Northwest Territories diamond mine nears (PN).

Strategic phase 1 work seeks Yukon drill targets (PN).

Kaminak de-risks Coffee; revives exploration roots (PN).

United States

YKHC Opposes Donlin Mine (APM).

Borough files to dismiss suit by Red Dog over severance tax (AJOC).

Usibelli resumes exports with sale to Japan (AJOC).

Bad faith in Fortymile (PN).

Tetlin drilling finds Connector; could link North, Peak deposits (PN).

Milder winter weather equals more gold at Fort Knox Mine (PN).

SuperLig stage one a success, pilot plant creates pure REEs (PN).

Partners seek new VMS deposits, prepare to extend road at Palmer (PN).

Transnational

Delegation asks Kerry for transboundary review (AJOC).

FISHERIES, SHIPPING AND OTHER BUSINESS NEWS

Fisheries

Kuskokwim tribal group takes on fisheries with goal of management (AD).

Alaska salmon prices seem to be rebounding (AD).

Cuts force ADFG (Alaska Department of Fish and Game) to make unpopular move to contract fishing (AJOC).

Yukon, Kuskokwim king rules will remain cautious in ’16 (AJOC).

Pingers get a whale of a rebate; new report out on Kodiak (AJOC).

Canadian firm buys Icicle; Sealaska acquires share in Seattle processor (AJOC).

The best year ever for Nergård, now they are investing large (Norway) (HNN, in Norwegian).

Now municipalities get paid for breeding (Norway) (HNN, in Norwegian).

Herring eggs: A meal some Anchorage residents want to see more of (APM).

Canadian-based company buys Icicle Seafoods after a year on the market (APM).

Sealaska back in seafood business (APM).

Green is Good - A shortcut to Arctic protection (AJ).

Shipping

With new tanker comes more oil to Murmansk (IBO).

Russia building several icebreakers for Northern Sea Route — minister (TASS).

DOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) Committee Releases Plan for Arctic Shipping (Global Trade).

Russia’s new nuclear icebreaker line crucial to national programs – especially Arctic oil (Bellona).

Maine Maritime begins training merchant marines for Arctic ice (WCSH6).

Luxury Cruise to Conquer Northwest Passage (WSJ).

Ferry advocates rethink management under smaller budgets (Alaska Marine Highway System) (APM).

Aviation

First Air to sell tickets on Air North's Whitehorse-Yellowknife-Ottawa flights (CBC).

PenAir adds bigger, faster aircraft to its fleet (AD).

Tourism

Facing tough weather, no Denali climbers have reached the summit yet (AD).

Tarmac meet & greet for Saab 2000 (APM).

Other business and economic news

Finland-Russia trade down – but some remain hopeful (IBO).

U.S.

Craft beer, air cargo and new business: Looking beyond oil in Alaska's future economy (AD).

Cannabis convention controversy: The 'free' samples that'll run you $299 (AD).

Lack of cannabis testing facilities presents bottleneck to sales (AJOC).

Anchorage’s housing shortage continues (AJOC).

Alaska Communications grows non-wireless revenue in 1Q (AJOC).

Food trucks forging way into Anchorage downtown dining scene (APM).

Canada

A stand-up solution? Indoor farm walls touted in Inuvik, N.W.T. (CBC).

Local food strategy aims to boost Yukon production (CBC).

Canada's GDP expanded by 0.9% last year, but growth wasn't even (CBC).

Russia

Mega-polluter is enviro-award winner (IBO).

Nordics

Finland’s first mini-homes to come on market in 2017 (Yle).

Enterprise Federation boss calls for working hour flexibility (Yle).

Government money for border town recovery (Kirkenes, Norway) (IBO).

Getting a third of what they asked for (Sør-Varanger, Norway) (HNN, in Norwegian).

Super cool: Arctic data centres aren't just for Facebook (Register).

HEALTH, YOUTH, SOCIETY & EDUCATION AND CULTURE

Deaf student told to stay home

A fifteen year old student in Nunavut was told to stay home during afternoons due to a lack of sign language interpreters. Although the Department of Education in Nunavut claims that it is providing appropriate programming, Suluk, the student’s mother, believes that her daughter is not getting the help she should be (CBC).

Sami rapper

Nils Rune Utsi (SlinCraze) is trying to make it big as a Sami rapper. He raps in Northern Sami, a language spoken by only 20,000 people. He says his agenda was never to help promote the language, but can see the impact it is having on Sami youth. SlinCraze is also the subject of Arctic Superstar, a documentary that premiered in the US last week (Village Voice).

Health

The Manillaq Family Crisis Center in Kotzebue, Alaska hosted its annual Choose Respect Walk at the end of April. It was an opportunity to shed light on sexual abuse in the community and to discuss what respect really means (Arctic Sounder).

Protesters Hound Yukon Premier at Groundbreaking for New Nursing Home (CBC).

Will Treatment for Youth in Northern Norway Improve? (NRK, in Norwegian).

Why Water Safety Programs Aren't Working in the Arctic (RCI).

Better Health (Arctic Business Network, in Danish).

Youth & Education

Students in the Yukon got first-hand experience on how cooper used to be shaped. The workshop, held by archeologists, showed students the process called annealing. The idea is that by teaching these students, many of whom are First Nations, this skill will give them a deeper connection to their pasts (CBC).

Born With FASD, N.W.T. Woman Overcomes Challenges to Graduate Top of Class (CBC).

N.W.T. Government Downbeat on 'Monetary Increases' for Teachers (CBC).

Fort Liard Teen Named N.W.T.'s Outstanding Youth Volunteer of 2016 (CBC).

Northern Junior Rangers to Compete in National Marksmanship Contest (CBC).

Low Register, High Latitude: Teacher Bringing Cellos to Rural Yukon (CBC).

How One Anchorage Elementary School is Transforming Troubled Student's Lives (AD).

Four Anchorage Graduates (AD).

A Goodnews Bay 13-Year-Old Has Read His Way to National Recognition (AD).

Legislators Turn Down Request for $7M for Rural School (AMP).

Immigrant Children Better at Norwegian (Forskning, in Norwegian).

Society

The manager at the Reception Center in Kolari, Finland has been fired due to management style and problems with operations. Asylum seekers complained about the treatment there and the Red Cross has said that he was unsuitable for the job (Yle).

Pierre Berton Sculpture Unveiled in Whitehorse (CBC).

Odd Silence Greets a Public Safety Crisis in Ross River, Yukon (CBC).

Work Nearly Done on Memorial for Yukoners Who Died on the Job (CBC).

Anchorage's New Summer Strategies for Dealing with Homelessness (AD).

Zumba Instructor with Down Syndrome Wows'em at Anchorage High School (AD).

Mat-Su Budget Includes Money for Drug Unit, Schools, Fire Department(AD).

Five Images that Help You Understand What It Feels Like to Watch the Arctic Melt (Fusion).

49 Voices: Palmer and Fena Sagoonick of Shaktoolik (APM).

Tlingit Leader Remembered for Land Claims Role(APM).

Fisherman's Memorial Seek New Home(APM).

Culture

An Arctic teen is attempting to save his language using Youtube. The 18 year old from Alaska posts videos in Yup’ik, a language that is only spoken by about 10,000 people. Nicholai has now recorded an album, consisting of 12 songs, which can be purchased on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and Spotify.

Fishy Business: Ketchikan Artist Ray Troll Thrives on Creatures of the Sea (AD).

Saami Artist Sprouts Teacher Street Art (NRK, in Norwegian).

Will Russia Boycott the European Song Contest Next Year? (NRK, in Norwegian).

Who's North? (HNN).

'Norm of the North' Bring the Arctic Circle Home (GeekDad).

Deadliest Catch Alum Seeks to Write Book on Unalaskan Experiences (APM).

Daron Rahlves Wins Arctic Man Challenge(Powder).

INFRASTRUCTURE

Canada

Ice-road research: listening to locals on Arctic and coastal change (University of Victoria).

Russia

Being a truck driver on Siberia's 'ice highway' is one of the most dangerous jobs in Russia (Tech Insider).