World famous ocean explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau and his colleagues, scientists from the Ocean Futures Society, the Ocean Alliance and the Earth Island Institute, appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to release 11 killer whales and 87 belugas currently kept in the “Whale Jail” near Nakhodka.

The group of international experts in its appeal express gratitude to the Government of Russia for its efforts in the field of marine mammal protection, for preventing the export and sale of killer whales and beluga whales, and also for banning their capture in 2019.

In the letter, scientists debunk the myth that US government will benefit somehow if Russia bans cetacean captures. Recently, companies that are involved in captures often use this dirty myth to denigrate the public campaign to free killer whales and beluga whales from the “whale jail.” According to Marine Mammal Protection Act the capture and export of killer whales and belugas in the United States is prohibited. The cetacean capture activity in the US has not been going on for several decades now, and there are no signs for its resumption.

Experts expressed their attitude to captivity as follows: “I would like to emphasize once again that these cetaceans are not adapted to captivity, and we strongly oppose any attempts to capture and imprison them.”

In conclusion, the scientists advised the Government of the Russian Federation to lead the operation to return 11 orcas and 87 belugas to their natural habitat, and also offered their assistance to prepare orcas and belugas for rehabilitation and release.

The full text of the appeal and its translation can be found here: http://savedolphins.eii.org/news/entry/keiko-experts-offer-help-to-free-russian-orcas-and-beluga-whales