Biodiversity case studies

Venezuela: Uncovering biodiversity in South America's largest lake

Shell Venezuela has contributed $130,000 to a biodiversity study of its West Urdaneta Field in Lake Maracaibo, South America’s largest lake.  The study will produce one of the few catalogues of Venezuelan fauna.  

The biodiversity study was undertaken by researchers from the University of Zulia and the Fisheries Division of the Agricultural Research Institute, a government agency located in Maracaibo.  The project team consisted of biologists, ecologists, an ornithologist, an economist and a computer science specialist.   The study aimed to obtain baseline information on biodiversity and food chains by identifying and studying interactions among common species of fauna including fish, crustaceans, aquatic birds and mammals. This information will help identify any possible impacts of Shell’s operations on the biodiversity of the lake and provides essential information for future environmental impact assessments. Furthermore, a sociological study of the local fishermen population at the fishing village of Barranquitas, at the southern end of the lake, was conducted to help quantify the value of the lake’s natural resources and the fishermen’s reliance on it. When compiled the results of both studies will culminate in the production of the first catalogue to identify fish otoliths (tiny “ear bones” that each have a unique pattern etched on the surface depending on the species and can be used to identify different species) in Venezuela, and one of few published in the world. Two videos on the lake’s biodiversity and the first faunal catalogue for the West Urdaneta Field are also planned.  

Key messages

• The study will provide essential biodiversity information useful to Shell as operators in the area and to the general public.
• ­Shell’s commitment to ensuring that biodiversity concerns are included in its operations through Environmental Impact Assessments.