The participants adopted a decision to develop a plan of action for the rehabilitation of marine mammals for subsequent release into their natural habitat.
Following the discussion, an action plan will be developed that includes measures for the rehabilitation of marine mammals for their subsequent release into their natural habitat if there is no risk to their lives. To accomplish this, work is planned to upgrade a spacious centre for keeping large marine animals in one of the bays of Russky Island. To monitor and track the animals, RFID tags will be used on them.
Alexei Gordeyev stressed that all actions will be aimed at ensuring the safety and security of the marine mammals. Their relocation is possible only in warm weather, after the air temperature is consistently above zero and the ice melts in the water area.
Experts from scientific and environmental organisations will be involved in implementing measures for the adaptation of the animals. The Russian Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO) and its Pacific Branch located in the city of Vladivostok will be used as the headquarters for the expert community and a platform for detailed discussion.
In accordance with the Deputy Prime Minister’s instruction, the animals’ condition will be assessed, after which decisions will be made on whether to release each animal individually.
Following the meeting, specialised agencies were tasked with drafting proposals for improving the regulatory framework for determining the overall hunting quota for marine mammals to minimise it and limit it to fishing for cultural and educational purposes, as well as to tighten the requirements for their maintenance and transportation.
The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Federal Agency for Fishery, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Investigative Committee, the Federal Security Service, the Interior Ministry, the Federal Property Management Agency and other stakeholder agencies.
