Tehran – The seventh meeting of the Framework Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, known as COP 7, in Tehran, will focus on the preservation of Caspian seals.
Caspian seals are the only marine mammal in the Caspian Sea. The species is currently listed as at risk on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, and has a population declined for a variety of reasons, ranging from 1 million to 70,000 people.
In recent years, the increase in the discovery of seal bodies on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea has sparked concern among environmentalists that Caspian seals are at an unprecedented risk of extinction. In the past two months, 18 bodies have been found on the coast of Mazandaran, the IRNA reported.
Working on the Coordination Meeting for the Conservation of Caspia Seals, Sheena Ansari, Head of the Ministry of the Environment (DOE), said conservation efforts should be prioritized given the recent seal loss and its important position.
At the 11th Nevsky International Ecological Conference held in St. Petersburg, Russia from May 22-23, five Caspian Sea provinces (Iran, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan) discussed environmental issues such as reduced water levels, destruction of settlements and the decline of marine animals.
Emphasizing the need for regional cooperation to protect the biodiversity of Caspia’s ecosystems, Ansari said it is essential to save Caspia’s marine environment, particularly Caspia’s seals through enhanced joint measurements, based on regional diplomacy.
Officials emphasized the importance of promoting intersectoral cooperation between responsible agencies, such as fisheries and veterinary organizations, and said that by promoting joint efforts, it would reduce conflicts over the conservation of these species.
Conservation Action Plan to Save Caspian Seal
In November 2024, the DOE began implementing a national plan of action focused on the preservation of Caspia seals.
The main purpose of this plan is to preserve the seals of Caspia, a rare, valuable, endemic and endangered species of the Caspia Sea, as a priority for marine environmental activities.
The establishment of the Seal Conservation Centre in Caspia, located at the Tarbiat Modare University Branch in Noor County, is one of the important measures taken in this regard.
It promoted positive interactions between the university and the executive force. This is expected to have positive consequences for Caspia seal protection in the near future, officials noted.
The Executive Working Group is formed under the control of the Environmental Regional Sectors of Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan, in collaboration with the governor and other beneficiaries.
Additionally, seal rescue centres in these three states are well equipped and special training workshops have already been held for beneficiaries and rangers, Talebi-Matin said.
Training included basic methods of rescue, release, corpse disposal, and correct sample collection.
Furthermore, examining seal bodies on beaches and identifying the cause of their losses is being pursued in collaboration with neighbouring countries and related organizations.
Caspian seals desperately need protection. The preservation of Caspian seals cannot simply be achieved through Iranian efforts. Neighborhood countries, including Russia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, are required.
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