Vladivostok court fined third killer whale trapping company 37.6 million rubles (586 000 US dollars).

Moscow. June 19. INTERFAX.RU – The Frunzensky District Court of Vladivostok found guilty the company “Sochi Dolphinarium”LLC for violating fishing rules, catching and containing killer whales and beluga whales in the “whale jail”.

“Sochi Dolphinarium” LLC will be found guilty and will impose a fine of 37 million 601 thousand rubles,” Judge Tatyana Mikhailova said.

The court decision has not entered into force and can be appealed.

“Sochi Dolphinarium”LLC was found guilty under Part 2 of Art. 8.17 of the Administrative Code (violation of the rules and requirements for fishing). It is established that the company captured two killer whales with violations. Among them: illegal place of capture, inconsistency of technical means and type of vessels, violations of fishing procedures and other violations.

During the court hearing, the company did not recognize themselves guilty and asked the court to dismiss the case due to the lack of evidence.

As reported, in early June, in a similar case, the Frunzensky District Court of Vladivostok found guilty of violating fishing rules and fined two companies that caught killer whales and beluga whales and contained them in a “whale jail”. For example, “White Whale”LLC was fined 28.1 million rubles, and “Oceanarium DV” LLC was fined 56.4 million rubles. The court decision did not enter into force, the companies stated that they intend to appeal the decision.

Also in the Frunzensky district court a similar case is being heard with respect to the forth capture company “Afalina” LLC.