Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2018/11/13/100-whales-found-captured-in-russian-bay-shipped-to-chinese-marine-parks/#16da94c977f1

Over 100 whales were discovered trapped in small enclosures in the small Russian port town of Nakhodka, thought to be a staging location for the whales to be shipped to Chinese marine parks.

Over 100 whales were discovered trapped in small enclosures in the small Russian port town of Nakhodka, thought to be a staging location for the whales to be shipped to Chinese marine parks.

In total, local media believes 11 Orca and 90 Beluga whales are being held in captivity, likely illegally. There is evidence that four companies control the whale enclosures and may get around the international law forbidding capture and sale of wild whales by claiming the whales are “rented” out to other countries.

There are records that the four controlling companies exported 13 Orcas to China between 2013 and 2016 according to Novaya Gazeta, a well-known investigative newspaper in Russia. The drone footage below, posted by Masha Netrebenko on Facebook reveals the whale enclosures.

The whale confinement is believed to contain the largest number of whales held in one location, with local media reporting some whales have been in Nakhodka since July.

It appears the companies have permission to capture 13 Orcas per year for scientific or educational purposes. Local prosecutors are checking whether the companies have the proper permissions and whether the whales are in fact being used for scientific or educational research.

Footage reveals the transport of a whale as a crane lifts it to a tank onshore, it is unknown where the whale was being transported.

The International Whaling Commission adopted a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1982. However, Russia and Japan notably oppose the moratorium. It is believed that many of the whales held in the Russian port town are juveniles or infants to fit that number within such small enclosures.

Orcas have been sold for over $6 million, creating a lucrative business selling whales to China’s 60 plus marine parks.

Orcas, also known as killer whales, are a species of dolphins. They are one of the smartest marine mammals and are known to teach their offspring advanced communication skills, including the ability to “talk” to dolphinsby learning the language of other species.

Marine parks like SeaWorld have seen declining attendance for years, in part due to the 2013 documentary “Blackfish” focusing on mistreatment of Orcas. While marine parks have become less popular in the United States, China has seen a rapid increase in interest and attendance of their marine parks. This has fueled rapid development of Chinese marine parks, putting additional pressure on illegal capture and sale of whales, dolphins and porpoises.

Trevor Nace is a PhD geologist, founder of Science Trends, Forbes contributor, and explorer. Follow his journey @trevornace.