Breaking news about “Whale Jail” from the Investigative Committee and the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russian Federation
World famous freediving and diving champions, famous underwater photographers and many other famous representatives of the water-sport community supported our campaign and said NO to “Whale jails”
07.02.2019BREAKING NEWS! The operation to free orcas and beluga whales from the “Whale Jail” will begin in the near future
09.02.2019Breaking news about “Whale Jail” from the Investigative Committee and the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russian Federation
Investigative Committee of Khabarovsk region opened new criminal case with charges on animals cruelty against the companies who captured orcas and belugas and currently keep the animals in the seapens in Primorsky region. The second criminal case was opened during investigation of the first criminal case that was opened back in November of 2018 on the fact of illegal capture of orcas and belugas in the summer of 2018.
Investigative committee mentioned in the official statement that some measures will be taken to return the animals back to the natural habitat. But we have been hearing such statements from authorities for several months now.
Another good news came from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
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The Pacific Marine Management of Rosprirodnadzor (The Federal Service for Supervision of Use of Natural Resources) opened administrative cases against companies that are captured orcas and beluga whales – Afalina LLC, White Whale LLC, Far East Oceanarium LLC and Sochi Dolphinarium LLC.
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They are charged with violations under Articles 8.45, 8.4, 8.2 of the Russian Federation Code of Administrative Offenses – for non-compliance with the requirements for equipping a water area, cleaning water area, and conducting state ecological expertise. Animals were caught with serious violations of age requirements.
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Rosprirodnadzor did not issue permits for the export of animals outside the Russian Federation to these companies, moreover, issued them 23 refusals for the request to obtain CITES permits for the export of beluga whales.
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Rosprirodnadzor sent a request to the Management of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia of Khabarovsk region to provide the information on the results and measures taken on a criminal case opened earlier for further procedural decisions.
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In the end of January of 2019 we announced that several environmental organizations – Sakhalin Environment Watch, the Boomerang Club and Ocean Friends, appealed to the South Sakhalin City Court with a claim to challenge the inaction of Rosprirodnadzor regarding the decision to confiscate the orcas and belugas from illegal possession of capture companies and release them into their natural habitat.
Sources: Investigative Committee https://sledcom.ru/news/item/1297724/?fbclid=IwAR2Zq0kq0AnQKILmiP1iKpI8ARM-eWVnsYIThLva5FiIPSFhjGNZOSVPess