The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources has approved the Strategy for the Conservation of Okhotsk Populations of Gray and Greenland Whales. This means that increased attention will be paid to them, reports the press service of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve.
«Gray whales of the Okhotsk population are also walking off the coast of Kamchatka: in the waters of the Kronotsky Nature Reserve and the South Kamchatka Nature Reserve. Monitoring and research of these marine mammals – is one of the most important tasks of our scientific department. The results are encouraging. Every year, several pairs of mother cubs walk in Kronotsky Bay, and in total we consistently celebrate about 90 individuals during the season, – said Evgenia Volkova, researcher at the Federal State Budgetary Institution «Kronotsky State Reserve».
The Okhotsk gray whale population is included in the Red Book of the Kamchatka Territory, the IUCN Red List, the Red Book of Russia, and in the highest statuses (endangered population, I priority of environmental measures). Until the early 1980s, this population was generally considered extinct as a result of commercial whaling. Now its number is estimated at approximately 240 individuals. The second population of – Chukchi-California is also included in these Red Books, but with a less strict status (recovery). These whales roam in the Chukchi, Bering Seas and Beaufort Sea.
In today’s world, gray whales are constantly faced with threats: ocean pollution, shipping, lost fishing nets that become floating animal traps, oil and gas development, unregulated tourism outside protected areas, transformation of marine ecosystems due to climate change.
The main objectives of the approved Strategy – are the preservation of whale habitats, including feeding grounds, minimizing the impact of economic activity, scientific research and monitoring the state of the population. Researchers at the Kronotsky Nature Reserve, for their part, will continue many years of research into gray whales in the Kronotsky Bay.
At the same time, the nursery areas of rare gray whales off the coast of Sakhalin are still not specially protected natural areas! Nearby there are developed oil and gas fields, and fish are mined using fixed seines. The adopted Strategy should contribute to the peaceful coexistence of whales and humans in this region.