Rescuing a Caspian seal pup

While patrolling the Caspian Sea coast between Makhachkala and Kaspiysk, a member the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations for the Republic of Dagestan saw a seal in a pile of washed-up fishing nets. The pup was still alive, fluttering helplessly and looking sadly at the man. Thin fishing lines had entangled its entire body, severely cutting into its neck, dooming it to a painful death from suffocation or exhaustion. Fortunately, Eldar Zaypullaev had a knife and knew what to do in such a situation. He carefully cut the fishing lines and released the pup back into the sea. Already in the waves, the seal looked back at its rescuer.

Such monofilament nets are widely used by fishermen in the Caspian countries. Fish are caught well and in large quantities. However, untangling anything from is difficult. ‘Therefore, fishermen,’ writes M.T. Baimukanov, director of the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology, ‘tear apart nets while collecting their catch, and then throw the nets into the sea or onto the coast.’ The nets are lightweight, cheap, and essentially disposable. Tons of these “ghost nets” drift throughout the sea, continuing to catch, bringing death to fish, birds, and seals. ‘And fishing nets abandoned on the shore,’ adds M.T. Baimukanov, ‘break down under the sun, turning into harmful microplastics that penetrate all living organisms, slowly killing them.’

Monofilament fishing nets should be banned! Kaspika Caspian Seals Conservation Agency joins this demand of scientists from the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology.

In the top image: a Caspian seal pup entangled in fishing nets. Dagestan, the Caspian Sea coast south of Makhachkala, March 2024. From video by Eldar Zaipullaev.