The grey whale was listed as “critically endangered” in 2000 when it was thought only 100 are believed to be still alive.

In a resolution the IWC said, “[Our] scientific committee has said only 23 reproductive females are left in the world. [Therefore], it is a matter of absolute urgency that measures be taken to protect this population and its habitat off Sakhalin Island.”

“[There is a need] for increased monitoring and research activity in the Sakhalin area in view of the uncertainty over the possible negative impacts on the population and its habitat by current oil and gas activities,” added the resolution, which was sponsored by Britain, South Africa, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Austria and adopted by consensus.

This is not the first time Shell’s Sakhalin-2 project has come under fire.

As reported previously in EnergyReview.net, Shell has been criticised by environmental groups for its projects on and off the island. The company had previously announced it had “developed a new environmental protection plan for Sakhalin” and “funded studies of the whale population that have not revealed any harm” to the whales.

However, the IWC resolution, according to the World Wildlife Fund, is a “wake-up call” for the energy giant.

“The potential for a catastrophic spill from Shell's oil project poses an unacceptable risk to this highly endangered whale population,” said Susan Lieberman, director of World Wildlife Fund’s Global Species Program.

“This is a wake-up call for Shell to pay proper attention to the environment when planning major oil projects,” she added.