"marine mammals of the Holarctic". Eighth International Conference "Marine Mammals of the Holarctic" ROO "Council on Marine Mammals"

The logo of the conference on marine mammals of the Holarctic features a polar bear. Today there are approximately 26 thousand of these predators in high latitudes. And every year they are forced to adapt: ​​the climate is warming, the sea ice is melting.

Stanislav Belikov, head of the laboratory of the All-Russian Research Institute of Environmental Protection:

In addition to this main threat, we say that a number of other factors of human influence on the habitat of polar bears can cause irreparable damage to them. This includes the development of hydrocarbon raw materials, shipping, and commercial fishing.

By the middle of this century, the global polar bear population could decline by 30%. Or harp seals. Commercial fishing should not begin before the females have raised their offspring, experts insist.

Cheryl Fink, Director of Wildlife Programs, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Canada:

Climate change is already threatening the survival of harp seals. The mortality rate of cubs increases, reproductive rates decrease.

10 years ago, the first conference on marine mammals was held in Arkhangelsk. The anniversary is dedicated to the memory of Professor Alexei Yablokov. He studied sea animals and was one of the first to talk about a reassessment of values ​​and a change in man’s relationship with nature.

Dmitry Glazov, Deputy Chairman of the Marine Mammal Council:

And we really hope that the young people who are participating and are increasingly participating in this work will also be imbued with the spirit of the research that Yablokov and our luminaries began.

The conference program includes a dozen sections and 180 reports. Everyone's Red Thread: Climate Change and Human Activities. The theory of sustainable development, that is, without disturbing the ecosystem, remains only a theory for now.

Vladimir Burkanov, Chairman of the Marine Mammal Council of the Russian Federation:

For 30 years after all countries, many countries, ratified and accepted this theory, there is not a single example of any country developing sustainably, increasing its economy, population, and at the same time not harming the environment.

Holarctic is a biogeographical concept. Covers most of the Northern Hemisphere. And here, as in the “butterfly effect,” a flapping of a wing in Africa can cause an irreparable disaster in the Arctic.

Eighth international conference
"Marine Mammals of the Holarctic"


ROO "Council on Marine Mammals"

The Marine Mammal Council (CMM), a public organization that brings together the majority of Russian specialists in the field of study and protection of seals, whales, dolphins and other marine mammals, with the organizational support of the State Unitary Enterprise Vodokanal of St. Petersburg, plans to hold the Eighth International conference “Marine Mammals of the Holarctic” lasting 4-5 days. More than 200 participants from different countries are expected to participate.

The conference will take place September 22–27, 2014 in St. Petersburg with the organizational support of the State Unitary Enterprise "Vodokanal of St. Petersburg".

Objective of the conference– discuss the results and prospects of research, protection and use of marine mammals of the Northern Hemisphere. Traditionally, special attention is planned to be paid to issues of population biology, population assessment and monitoring, behavior and acoustics, physiology, health, rehabilitation and captivity of mammals, ecology (nutrition, distribution, habitats and migrations, etc.).

As part of the conference, the results of the All-Russian competition of children's drawings on marine mammals will be summed up and an exhibition of photographs provided by the participants of the event will be held.

Any topics related to marine mammals may be accepted by the Organizing Committee for consideration and discussion at the Conference. Particular attention is planned to be paid the following questions:
Population biology
Population assessment and monitoring
Ecology (nutrition, distribution, habitats and migrations, etc.)
Behavior and acoustics
Physiology, health, toxicology and pollution
Research methods
Use, protection, management and legislation
Rehabilitation, captivity

As part of the upcoming Conference, the Organizing Committee plans to hold special events:
An exhibition of works by the winners of a children's drawing competition dedicated to marine mammals;
An exhibition of photographs provided by conference participants.

Organizing Committee of the Conference:
A.V. Yablokov - Chairman
V.N. Burkanov - deputy Chairman
D.M. Glazov - deputy Chairman
V.A. Alekseev
V.M. Belkovich
D.L. Bengtson
A.N. Boltunov
M.N. Vorontsova
D.G. Calkins
A.K. Kinebass
A.Yu. Knizhnikov
I.V. Smelova
IN AND. Chernook
N.L. Remennikova - secretary

To register, the participant must fill out the registration form on the Conference website www.mmc2014spb.com and pay the registration fee.

The registered participant receives the Conference program, a collection of abstracts and a collection of materials. The registration fee covers the costs of registration activities, preparation, printing of the program and collection of abstracts, organization of buffet tables and coffee breaks.

Currently, the SMM has more than 170 active members in Russia and abroad. The main tasks of the SMM:
Development of main directions and programs of scientific research in the field of study, protection and resource-saving use of marine mammals.
Cooperation with Russian and international organizations in the field of studying marine mammals.
Providing methodological and organizational support to specialists and organizations conducting research on marine mammals.
Organization and holding of conferences, meetings and symposia on various issues of the study and protection of marine mammals.

In carrying out its functions of coordinating and supporting research on marine mammals, the SMM carries out a number of its own projects and takes part in joint projects with other Russian and international organizations.

The international conference "Marine Mammals of the Holarctic" is held every two years: 2000 - Arkhangelsk, 2002 - Baikal (Listvyanka village), 2004 - village. Koktebel (Ukraine), 2006 - St. Petersburg, 2008 - Odessa (Ukraine), 2010 - Kaliningrad, 2012 - Suzdal. At plenary sessions, sections and round tables during the conference, recommendations are developed on topical issues of the protection and use of marine mammals. Based on the results of the conference, a collection of papers is published in Russian and English, sent to all marine mammal research centers and leading libraries. The work of the conference is widely covered in the media.

The Eighth International Conference “Marine Mammals of the Holarctic” will be held in the “Year of the Gulf of Finland”. Special events (seminar, round table or photo exhibition) will be dedicated to this event.

Current information on the progress of preparations for the Conference is presented on the website www.mmc2014spb.com

Contacts
Marine Mammal Council
Russia, 117997, Moscow, Nakhimovsky Ave. 36
Tel. (fax): +7 499 1247579
[email protected]
http://conf2014.2mn.org

Inform the event organizer that the information was taken from the portal www.site

The Marine Mammal Scientific Advisory Council was formed in 1956 and became the first body of its kind within the Ichthyological Commission. At different periods, the council was headed by famous mammologists - specialists in marine mammals, doctors of science S.E. Kleinenberg, V.A. Zemsky, Corresponding Member of the RAS A.V. Yablokov. The permanent scientific secretary of the council was Ph.D. n. I.V. Smelova.

Much attention has been paid to marine mammals due to the special place they occupy in marine ecosystems, being, in fact, the top link of food chains, and thus have a significant impact on other components of ecosystems. Maintaining the numbers of these animals is an indispensable condition for the normal functioning of specific marine ecosystems. Marine mammals are a valuable and sometimes irreplaceable species of commercial biological resources. Whales, seals, and walruses in many cases are vitally important for the maintenance and even survival of small peoples of the Far North.

The Soviet Union actively fished for whales (flotillas “Aleut”, “Slava”, “Yuri Dolgoruky”), seals (these animals, like walruses, have been caught since ancient times by Pomors, the indigenous population in the seas of the Arctic and Pacific Oceans) and for some time Black Sea dolphins . In the years after the Second World War, whaling and pinnipeds became the object of attention and regulation on the part of regional and specialized organizations of an international and international nature (for example, the Whaling Commission). The participation of the USSR (Russia) in these regulatory bodies provided for the organization of the collection and analysis of scientific data on the biology and fishing of mined objects, and the formation on this basis of the concept of sustainable use of the raw material base of hunting and whaling.

All this taken together predetermined the need to create an NCC on marine mammals, which was entrusted with coordinating research on these animals carried out by scientific and other institutions of different departments of the country. The successful implementation of these tasks was facilitated by the participation in the work of the NCC of leading scientists and specialists specializing in the field of study and rational use of marine mammals (Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences A.V. Yablokov, Academician V.E. Sokolov, Doctors of Science V.A. Zemsky, V. M. Belkovich, A.S. Sokolov, K.K. Chapsky, A.G. Borodin, and many other scientists and specialists of basin institutes and the Academy of Sciences).

The Council managed to achieve the unification and consolidation of the efforts of mammalogists working in a wide range of research areas, within the framework of programs developed by the NCC for the study of individual species of marine mammals, complex, long-term and sectoral programs for research and rational use of cetacean and pinniped stocks.

An important and effective form of research coordination was the meetings and conferences of the All-Union (All-Russian) organized by the council.
and international status. At these forums, in which not only scientists but also practitioners took part, a wide range of problems in the study of marine mammals and the rational use of their reserves, programs and plans for future research were discussed. In total, during the period under review they were carried out
11 All-Union conferences. The first All-Union Conference took place in 1957.
in Moscow. The geographical range of meetings was very wide: Leningrad, Vladivostok, Kaliningrad, Makhachkala, Moscow, Kyiv, Simferopol, Astrakhan, Arkhangelsk, Svetlogorsk. The NCC organized eight international conferences “Marine Mammals of the Holarctic” (2000-2014), at which research results and achievements in the study and conservation of marine mammals were discussed.

In addition to such broad forums, the NCC regularly held meetings devoted to individual topical issues of the study and protection of certain species of marine mammals. In particular, the results of research by academic and industry institutes were considered within the framework of the “Main directions of scientific research on the study and rational use of biological resources of marine mammals until the year 2000”; the role of marine mammals as consumers of the highest trophic level in the ecosystems of the Far Eastern seas; state of populations
and the numbers of different cetacean species in different regions and waters; harvest limits (and their changes) for commercial species; the impact on populations of marine mammals of various types of fishing, kelp and other objects; methods for modeling populations of some species of marine mammals and ways of their rational use; future plans for marine mammal research; results of research carried out at institutes of different departments; the work of international commissions (IWC, Russian-Norwegian, Russian-Swedish, ICES, etc.) in the field of study and use of marine mammals; consideration of coordination plans for research work on various problems in the study of marine mammals. A significant place in the work of the NCC was occupied by the consideration of various environmental aspects and anthropogenic impacts on the ecosystems of the World Ocean, including on marine mammals.

Among the important achievements of scientists in our country in the field of studying marine mammals, it is necessary to point out the development of methods for objectively recording the number of a number of animal species that have received recognition throughout the world (aerial census methods).

The development of the proposed methodology was carried out in the White Sea, the object of the census was harp seals.

The NCC and its members took an active part in accounting work, monitored their implementation, reviewed their plans and programs and even financial reports.

A wide discussion of the results obtained confirmed the promise of the new technique, which gave grounds to recommend it for use on other species of marine mammals in other basins of the country.

The Council took part in the preparation and analysis of scientific materials
and recommendations necessary for the formation of the official position of the USSR-RF delegations participating in the annual sessions of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The activities of the NCC received support from a number of international organizations: the Marine Mammal Association (IMMA), the Animal Welfare Fund (IFAW), the US Marine Mammal Commission and the Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The NCC was preparing a justification for granting quotas to the indigenous peoples of Chukotka for the traditional indigenous fishery of gray and bowhead whales. These justifications and annual reports on the results of the fishery were recognized by the IWC as one of the best and were recommended as an example to other countries.

The NCC paid special attention to the problem of preserving marine mammals under conditions of growing anthropogenic pressure, including the intensification of seismic exploration, assessment of the impact of oil and gas production in the Okhotsk region.
Korean population of gray whales.

An objective assessment of the consequences of seismic exploration for biota showed the need for close attention to this problem, for which in 2004 the Strategic Planning Group for Gray Whale Research was created, which prepared a note “On the catastrophic state of the Okhotsk-Korean gray whale population
and measures to save her." It described the situation with the gray whale
and adjusted measures to preserve this population (listed
in the Red Book as a specially protected species). The note was sent to the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Minister of Nature of the Russian Federation and the Chairman of the State Fisheries Committee of the Russian Federation. This problem was under constant attention of the council; it was discussed at many international conferences (including at the conference “Marine Mammals of the Holarctic” organized by the NCC). NCC proposals (with justification and calculations), based on the results of discussion of the results of gray whale research, were sent to the heads of oil companies. As a result, oil companies postponed work to other dates, changed work routes, and followed other recommendations of the NCC. The importance of the gray whale problem is demonstrated by the fact that the International Review Group on the Impact of Oil Development on this Population (ISRP) was created. Scientific and public organizations and authorities of countries,
in the waters of which the life cycle of this population takes place (Russia, China, North Korea
and Japan), it was recommended to create an international program to study, monitor and restore the Western California gray whale population.

A significant place in the activities of the NCC was occupied by problems related to
with the study and protection of beluga whales. This species is under the supervision of Rosrybolovstvo.

An analysis of the research results obtained in 11 expeditions working under the supervision of the NCC showed that data on the structure of the beluga whale population, the characteristics of the seasonal use of various parts of the range by this species, the role of reproductive aggregations in which population regulation is carried out, etc. are of particular value. Eight reproductive aggregations of beluga whales totaling 1,200 animals were discovered in the White Sea. Since no beluga whale reproduction areas have been found in the Barents Sea, this gives grounds to consider this sea only as a feeding and wintering area for beluga whales of the White and Kara seas.

Based on the analysis of research results, materials have been prepared
with an assessment of the status of individual beluga whale herds in the World Ocean, which were sent
to Rosrybolovstvo and the State Committee for Ecology of the Russian Federation to regulate fishing (production should not exceed 5% of the herd size). The Russian government, on the recommendation of the NCC, revoked the previously issued permit for commercial fishing for export and recognized the expediency of preserving only indigenous fishing and capturing beluga whales for scientific purposes (1999).

Considering the importance of the role of marine mammals in marine ecosystems, the NCC also considered legal issues, sought the adoption of a special law on marine mammals, and gave opinions on the inclusion of various species of animals within the purview of CITES (in particular, Steller sea lion, Black Sea bottlenose dolphin, minke whale, gray whale, etc. .).

The Council focused on assessing the impact of changes in Arctic ice conditions on certain species of marine mammals, in particular the Atlantic
and the Pacific walrus.

The NKS did not ignore the Caspian seal. Considering the problems faced by these animals today, the council should have noted the insufficient level of study of this species, the lack of reliable records of numbers, the insufficiently clear significance of the factors that caused the decline in their numbers, as well as the need for urgent and coordinated action by all Caspian states.

The NCC studied the problem of keeping marine mammals in captivity. Rules for keeping animals in dolphinariums were developed, which were intended to be submitted to the State Duma for the adoption of a special law (reflecting issues of human dolphin therapy, cultural and educational aspects, etc.).

The publishing activities of the NCC were aimed at publishing materials
and abstracts of reports of conferences and meetings, in total more than 250 printed sheets were published. Members of the NCC have prepared and published several monographs and books, published a large number of articles on various aspects of the problems of marine mammals, and prepared many proposals, recommendations, and conclusions regarding the study and rational use of marine mammals.

Meetings of the NCC on marine mammals of the MIC jointly with the RPO “Council on Marine Mammals”

Members of the NCC and the SMM were present: (Chairman of the NCC MIC and SMM), corresponding member. RAS (deputy chairman of the Scientific Council, Center for Environmental Policy, IBR RAS), Ph.D. (study sec. NKS MIC), Doctor of Technical Sciences (VNIRO), Ph.D. (IPEE RAS), Doctor of Biological Sciences (IO RAS), (MPR of Russia), Ph.D. (MSU), Ph.D. (IPEE RAS), Ph.D. (SevPINRO), (VNIIprirody), (IPEE RAS), Ph.D. (IO RAS), (VNIRO), Ph.D. (VNIRO), (MSU), (IO RAS), (Fisheries Committee of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug), (VNIRO), Doctor of Technical Sciences. (VNIRO-MIK), Ph.D. (IPEE RAS), (MSU), G. Tsydulko (IFAW).

Invited: (MPR of Russia), (Zoo), (IO RAS), (MSU), (IFAW), Ph.D. n. (IO RAS).

Agenda

1. About the first experience of capturing killer whales in Russian waters

Inf. Ph.D.

2. Issues of organizing research and monitoring of the Okhotsk-Korean gray whale population in the years.

Inf. Ph.D.

3. On the results of the 55th session of the ICC

Inf. Ph.D.

LISTENED: 1. About the first experience of capturing killer whales in Russian waters.

Inf. Ph.D.

Questions were asked by: G. Tsydulko, E. Dzhikia, K. Tarasyan, K. Zharikov.

Participants in the discussion: M. Krokhin, .

Having heard and discussed information about the first experience of capturing killer whales off the eastern coast of Kamchatka, carried out by the Dolphinarium, the Meeting participants noted that although the result of the capturing was negative (one killer whale died in the nets, and another died a few weeks after the capture from a disease), nevertheless, Valuable experience was gained in capturing and transporting large dolphins over long distances in Russia.

The precedent of capturing killer whales in Russian waters should be considered in two aspects - biological and ethical.

According to experts, from a population-biological point of view, catching single individuals cannot cause damage to the killer whale population in the Far Eastern seas. From an ethical point of view, there are two polar positions. One of them, most actively expressed, is the complete rejection of keeping wild animals (in the particular case of large marine mammals) in captivity. Another, prevailing one, is keeping cetaceans in aquariums, providing normal conditions for their maintenance; this is the only opportunity for most people to see amazing animals, feel their charm and develop a sense of responsibility for their conservation in the wild.

It is important for Russia to learn from the successful experience of other countries in keeping killer whales in captivity; in addition, this creates new opportunities for their in-depth study. In particular, the result of the first capture confirmed the need for medical and biological research on populations of the species: high titers of antibodies to morbillivirus infections found in the blood of a captured killer whale indicate the potential for the emergence of a dangerous epizootic.

Considering the above, the Scientific Advisory Council on Marine Mammals of the MIC and the RPO “Council on Marine Mammals” consider it necessary:

1. Ask the NCC for Marine Mammals to develop special instructions for the capture, transportation and maintenance of killer whales, which will reflect the requirements for minimizing losses during capture, sanitary, hygienic and humane conditions for temporary holding and, especially, transportation of animals.

2. Since the killer whale in Russian waters is a relatively little-studied species, it is necessary to draw the attention of scientific organizations of the State Fisheries Committee and the Russian Academy of Sciences to the importance of organizing comprehensive population studies of killer whales.

3. Ask the State Fisheries Committee, the Ministry of Industry and Science of the Russian Federation and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research to allocate special funds for the study of this species of marine mammals, and for organizations interested in catching and keeping killer whales in captivity to take part in this.

5. Call upon the State Fisheries Committee and the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia to take a more attentive approach to considering the issue of the number of killer whales and the areas of their possible catch when compiling and examining the TAC. Pay special attention to the feasibility of catching.

6. Recommend that Glavrybvod regulate the issuance of permits for the capture of killer whales, and also take into account the availability of qualified specialists at the applicant’s organization, technical means of catching and transporting animals that ensure conditions for humane treatment of animals, as well as compliance with all sanitary standards and the ability to control their condition.

LISTENED 2: On the organization of research on the gray whale of the Western Pacific (Okhotsk-Korean) population in 2004.

Inf. Ph.D.

Questions:, G. Tsydulko, .

, .

SOLUTION:

1. Having heard and discussed issues related to the organization of research on the Western Pacific (Okhotsk-Korean) gray whale population, whose feeding grounds coincide with the areas of hydrocarbon production and transportation, the Scientific Advisory Council on Marine Mammals of the MIC welcomes the efforts of the oil producing company Sakhalin Energy » to organize an open discussion of the research program. However, the program development process is unjustifiably delayed, which may lead to the loss of the 2004 summer season (while construction work on the Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 projects will continue in the summer and autumn of 2004).

2. To carry out a set of research works in 2004 to study and monitor this population, it is necessary to ensure effective coordination of research on these whales in the waters of north-eastern Sakhalin. The implementation of programs financed by Sakhalin Energy and Exxon Neftegaz must be clearly agreed upon in content, scope, timing and methods.

The current situation in the field of coordination and financing of research, as well as the lack of programs and scientific reports of some performers, makes it necessary to contact the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia with a proposal to instruct the Interdepartmental Ichthyological Commission to develop within three months a program document “National strategy for the study and conservation of the Okhotsk-Korean population of gray whale”, which could form the basis of an international program. When planning activities in the field of research and monitoring of the Okhotsk-Korean population of gray whales, take into account that currently work on the operational coordination of the Russian national gray whale research program, recommended by the IWC, and carried out by the Far Eastern and other research institutes is carried out by VNIRO. Create a strategic planning group for research on gray whales in the NCC for Marine Mammals of the MIC to objectively assess the content of existing scientific programs, methods, research plans and reporting materials. Ask to lead this group and submit proposals on its composition (including representatives of VNIRO, IO RAS, Russian Scientific Research Institute of Computer Science, IFAW, etc.) and a work plan. Apply to Sakhalin Energy, Exxon Neftegaz, IFAW and WWF with a proposal to participate in financing the development of the National Strategy for the Study and Conservation of the Okhotsk-Korean Gray Whale Population. Contact Sakhalin Energy and Exxon Neftegaz with a letter about the need to ensure proper coordination of work within the gray whale research and monitoring programs they finance, accelerate the development of a new international program and more quickly present the results of ongoing research to the public.

LISTENED 3: On the results of the 55th session of the ICC

Inf. Ph.D.

Questions:, V. A, Zemsky.

The following took part in the discussion:,

SOLUTION:

Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee

Marine Mammal Council MIC

prof. Doctor of Science

Uch. secretary of the NCC

for marine mammals MIC



 

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