GEE did not approve materials of TAC for marine mammals for 2020
27 scientists from 9 countries appealed to Rosprirodnadzor with a request not to approve Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of cetacean for 2020
12.10.2019The process of releasing a new group of beluga whales has begun today
12.10.2019GEE did not approve materials of TAC for marine mammals for 2020
September 27, 2019
Friends, we have great news – the Governmental Ecological Expertise (GEE) issued a negative decision on the materials of the total allowable catch (TAC) of marine mammals for 2020! In an official response, Rosprirodnadzor reports that the experts found that the submitted TAC materials did not comply with the current environmental legislation.
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Thank you to everyone who wrote letters and appeals to Rosprirodnadzor and the GEE expert commission!
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Recall that 282 belugas, 20 Pacific white-sided dolphins, 8 bottlenose dolphins, 8 pilot whales, 1496 walruses and 1905 fur seals in the Far Eastern Seas were listed in the TAC and planned for capture in 2020. Most of the cetaceans and pinnipeds are intended for the indigenous peoples of the North, however, at least 82 belugas and all dolphins were meant to be captured for the entertainment industry. All of us managed to prevent this.
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At the same time, we received information that the RPN is forming a new expert commission to conduct a second GEE on TAC of marine mammals for 2020. Therefore, we can’t relax yet and should be ready for the next stage of the battle for whales and dolphins.