Estimating the Impacts of Oil Tanker Spills on Indigenous Cultures: A Case Study of the Potential Effects from the Northern Gateway Project on Coastal First Nations

The study will evaluate potential impacts of a catastrophic oil spill associated with tanker traffic from the proposed Northern Gateway Project on Coastal First Nations commercial and traditional activities. Main objectives of the study include determining and quantifying both economic initiatives and traditional activities of Coastal First Nations, evaluating environmental impacts of an oil spill and assessing potential economic costs of a spill on Coastal First Nations interests, and examining the consequences of approving a major oil and gas development project prior to the completion of a marine-use planning process. The study will use existing research on oil tanker spills to infer impacts from the northern Gateway Project, particularly data generated from the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska in 1989. This study will be the first of its kind and will inform the Coastal First Nations of potential impacts to their economic and traditional interests.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Thomas Gunton

Student:

Sean Broadbent

Partner:

Great Bear Initiative Society

Discipline:

Resources and environmental management

Sector:

Fisheries and wildlife

University:

Simon Fraser University