Nearly 100 dead seals washed ashore on the Caspian coast
According to the agency, the seal carcasses were discovered on April 17 in the Tupkaragan district. It is noted that the bodies were washed ashore by a strong westerly wind.
To determine the cause of the animals’ deaths and deal with the aftermath, an interagency working group has been formed. Representatives of environmental and government bodies, including ecologists, veterinary services, police, and relevant scientific organizations, have traveled to the site.
Specialists will collect samples, conduct research, and arrange for the disposal of the carcasses in accordance with current regulations.
According to the Institute of Hydrobiology and Ecology, the seals died more than a month ago. However, the bodies were only now brought to the shore because of the stormy westerly wind.
Monitoring of the Caspian Sea coastline is continuing. The relevant authorities say the situation remains under constant control.
Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram
Публикация от Официальный аккаунт (@fishcommitteekz)
What is the population of Caspian seals?
In response to an official request from Tengrinews.kz, the Fisheries Department of the Mangystau Region said that the Caspian seal population currently stands at about 270,000 individuals.
“The main threats to the lives of seals are unfavorable climatic factors, as well as the expansion of hydrocarbon extraction in the sea, intensive shipping, bycatch in fishing nets, and other anthropogenic factors,” the response states.
Specialists explained that these causes have led to an overall decline in the species’ numbers. According to official data, the population trend in recent years has been as follows: at the beginning of 2023, there were about 260,000 individuals, and by the end of the 2024 count, there were already about 311,000.
“There is no threat of extinction of the species”
The department assures that at present there is no threat of the species disappearing.
“In November 2020, the Caspian seal was included in Kazakhstan’s Red Book. In addition, in October 2024, the state institution ‘Caspian Itbalygy State Nature Reserve’ was established,” the department said.
The authorities have also worked with the Ministry of Defense on the issue of restricting winter navigation during the Caspian seal breeding period.
Earlier, the Ministry of Ecology told us what awaits the Caspian by 2050. The ministry clarified that between 2006 and 2025, the coastline in some places retreated by 30–35 kilometers. Specialists cite climate change, increased evaporation, reduced water inflow, and human economic activity as the main causes of the sea becoming shallower.