Английский язык: Сборник текстов и упражнений. Дьякова Н.П. - 100 стр.

mammals and newly-borns, the actual quantities in the both populations are con-
spicuously lower compared to the research evaluation data. Besides, further natu-
ral oil and gas developments on the Northern Sakhalin Shelf, together with the
plants to construct tidal power stations, and explore other mineral resources, put
the existence of these unique species under immediate threat of extinction. The
said industrial activity will lead to an irrevocable destruction of the main, and we
must note the last, natural habitats of whales.
    The industrial development of some of them, for instance, near the West Coast
of Sakhalin, is scheduled already for 1996. Floating drillrigs will be built to oper-
ate at depths of 50 to 100 meters. The danger of oil spills, resulting in destruction
of bottom sea life-the feeding base of whale species- is very high, more so in the
high seismic factor in this region. (Neftegorsk Earthquake is a ready example and
a possible scenario).
    We think it of an immediate priority to build a system of protected sea areas at
the main Okhotsk whale species feeding and reproduction grounds, as well as take
measures to eliminate industrial interference and contamination factors. Unless it
happens soon, we will get the most of the whales only on photos and videos. How
could we possibly be forgiven thereafter?


                          Fight Whales, Save Russia…
    Eventually, spotted was the bitterest enemy of the domestic fisheries, named
whale, or nicknamed gorbach (humpback), serii (gray), morskaya svinya (sea
hog), polosatic (striped-back), belukha (white-belly), butilkonos (bottle-nose). It
keeps breeding, you know! The ichthyologists of all state departments concerned
are ringing the alarm bell: «Evident whale overpopulation is observed in the
White, Barents, Bering and Black seas, which leads to a decrease of fish resources
within those basins.»
    However, it seems we are not the first victims. Two week ago, Iceland, though
small but one of the largest seafood producing countries, declared: «We have had
enough! In spite of all taboos imposed by International Whaling Commission
(IWC) we are going to land 200, and not less, whales this year to meet the
needs of the industry». Earlier yet, Norway single-handedly allocated a quota
of 400 whales doomed to be slaughtered within the next few months.
    The Japanese are wide awake either. Last week they met with Russian repre-
sentative at the IWC, Chairman of Russian Federation State Committee on Ecolo-
gy («Goskomecologia»), Vladimir Iliashenko. The purpose of the negotiations is
to get support from Russia in the effort to tone down the control over the harvest-
ing of various whale species.
    So, generally speaking, whales beware! It’s time to put you in check with the
use of harpoons, special saws and cutting axes. Not in such a barbaric fashion as
before, but rational, delicate, scientifically approved.
    However, a scholar of some authority, Alexey Yablokov, heading Interde-
partmental Commission on Ecology of Russian Security Council, is reported to
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