It is home to rare deep-water sponges, called “cheese bottoms” by fishermen, and clams, a type of clam that can live for hundreds of years, making it one of the oldest living creatures in the world. the planet.

A study by the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (Elaw) warns that the Cambo project “could jeopardize hundreds of species over decades, as well as livelihoods.”

READ MORE: Campaigners take message from ‘Stop Cambo’ oilfield to UK government’s COP26 center

As the UN’s COP26 climate change talks take place in Glasgow, environmental groups are calling on the UK government to say no to Siccar Point Energy’s Cambo proposal, in which Shell has a stake.

Tessa Khan, Director of Uplift, said: “These critical climate talks have two goals: huge global reductions in carbon emissions and the protection and restoration of the natural world.

“And yet, a few hundred kilometers north of Glasgow, the hosts of COP26 are planning to do the opposite.

“This new oil field will contribute to the climate crisis while potentially damaging a sensitive underwater world. Everyone loses except the oil companies.

“The British government must protect its seas, rule the world beyond oil and gas and say no to Cambo.”

Sixteen marine and climate protection groups, including Greenpeace UK, WWF UK, the Marine Conservation Society and Friends of the Earth Scotland, wrote to the UK government’s offshore oil and gas environmental regulator, Opred, asking it to include the impacts sailors when evaluating the Cambo drilling application.

They raised concerns about the likely impacts of pipelines on the seabed, hundreds of marine species and the local fishing industry, and highlighted the devastation an oil spill in the region would cause. .

Calum Duncan of the Marine Conservation Society said: “The UK government is positioning itself as a global leader on climate change and ocean protection, committing to protect one third of the ocean by 2030.

“Now he must keep those promises and protect this precious sponge belt from Shell.

READ MORE: Charity coalition puts pressure on Nicola Sturgeon at Cambo oil field

“Sponge beds and associated species are incredibly sensitive deepwater habitats. The construction, movement and potential leaks of this pipeline could have devastating consequences for deep-water sponges and protected features already under pressure from damaging activities such as deep-water trawling.

“Faced with the dual climate and biodiversity crisis, Boris Johnson must heed the scientists’ message when they say there can be no new oil and gas developments.

“If we want a liveable climate, the Scottish Government must ensure that this vulnerable sponge belt is adequately protected from all impacts.”

The Scottish Government, Shell and Siccar Point Energy have been contacted for comment.