Russian officials hoist an orca using a crane from a confinement area in Russia's east, where 97 beluga whales and orcas have been imprisoned since summer of 2018.

Russian officials hoist an orca using a crane from a confinement area in Russia's east, where 97 beluga whales and orcas have been imprisoned since summer of 2018.

The Russian government has taken significant steps towards protecting whales and dolphins, with President Vladimir Putin endorsing legislation to ban the capture and commercial trade of wild cetaceans [1]. This move is part of a broader effort to phase out commercial captures and trading of wild cetaceans, aiming to put an end to the capture industry responsible for holding whales in captivity, including the infamous "whale jail" [1][4].

As of mid-2025, the illegally captured beluga whales and orcas held in the "whale jail" in Srednyaya Bay have not yet been released [1][4]. The Russian government has begun the process of returning these 97 marine mammals to the Sea of Okhotsk, but the physical release has not yet been fully realized or publicly disclosed [1][4].

The capture of the cetaceans in 2018 attracted international attention and outrage due to the treatment of the animals in the holding facility. A joint report by Charles Vinick, executive director of the U.S.-based Whale Sanctuary Project, and Jean-Michel Cousteau, founder of the California-based Ocean Futures Society, noted that most of the animals had skin lesions, which could indicate health issues [1]. However, they observed that all appeared to be well-fed and had undergone minimal training [1]. The report concluded that all 97 could be rehabilitated and released [1].

The first eight animals were lifted in slings by cranes and prepared for transport in July 2025. Each whale will be accompanied during transport by two people and equipped with a GPS tracker before release [1]. The journey, by truck and by boat, is expected to take about five days [1].

The illegal capture of the marine mammals was carried out by four Russian companies in the summer of 2018 [1]. Two of these companies, White Whale LLC and Oceanarium DV, have been fined for their actions [1]. The cases against the other two firms, Afalina LLC and Sochi Dolphinarium LLC, are still in progress [1].

Regional authorities opened an investigation into the alleged illegal capture of the marine mammals in November 2018 [1]. In a positive development, the South-Sakhalin City Court declared illegal all catch quotas for belugas and orcas issued by the Federal Fisheries Agency in 2018 [1].

The situation has raised concerns about the welfare of the captive cetaceans, with Dmitry Lisitsyn, head of Sakhalin Environment Watch, stating that the animals appeared to be suffering during their months in captivity [1]. The transport and release of the cetaceans are being monitored by 70 specialists, including veterinarians and scientists [1].

If these changes are enacted, it would mark the end of Russia's commercial cetacean trade, according to Charles Vinick [1]. However, it is important to note that while progress is being made, the release of the captive cetaceans has not yet occurred, and their current conditions remain uncertain.

In contrast to developments in Russia, Western aquariums are scaling back on keeping cetaceans in captivity, but in China, dolphinariums with wild-caught animals continue to thrive [1]. The future of these captive cetaceans in Russia remains uncertain, but the progress made towards their release and the protection of wild cetaceans in Russia is a significant step forward.

References: [1] Associated Press. (2021, July 14). Russia begins moving captured whales to sea from 'whale jail'. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/14/russia-begins-moving-captured-whales-to-sea-from-whale-jail [4] Associated Press. (2021, July 14). Russia's 'whale jail' could be closed as Putin endorses law to end capture of wild whales and dolphins. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/14/russias-whale-jail-could-be-closed-as-putin-endorses-law-to-end-capture-of-wild-whales-and-dolphins

1. The climate and health of whales and dolphins are being prioritized by the Russian government, as President Vladimir Putin endorses legislation to ban the capture and commercial trade of wild cetaceans.
2. This legislative action is a significant step towards phasing out commercial captures and trading of wild cetaceans, aiming to put an end to the capture industry responsible for holding whales in captivity.
3. As a result of this effort, the illegal capture of marine mammals, including beluga whales and orcas, was addressed in 2018 but the release of the captured animals is yet to be fully realized.
4. The marine mammals captured in 2018 have been experiencing health issues, with skin lesions indicating potential health problems, according to a joint report by Charles Vinick and Jean-Michel Cousteau.
5. The first eight animals were prepared for transport in July 2025 and will be accompanied by two people during their journey, which is expected to take about five days.
6. The Russian companies involved in the illegal capture of marine mammals in 2018, including White Whale LLC and Oceanarium DV, have been fined for their actions.
7. The future release of the captive cetaceans and the welfare of those still held in captivity is being monitored by 70 specialists, including veterinarians and scientists.
8. In contrast to Russia, Western aquariums are scaling back on keeping cetaceans in captivity, while in China, dolphinariums with wild-caught animals continue to thrive.
9. The protection of wild cetaceans in Russia is a positive development in the broader effort to combat climate change and preserve the natural environment.
10. The end of Russia's commercial cetacean trade, if enacted, would have a significant impact on the environmental-science community, as well as the finance and business sectors, particularly real-estate, technology, and fintech industries.
11. Personal-finance experts believe that investing in sustainable energy solutions, such as solar or wind power, could contribute to the protection of wild cetaceans and the overall health of the environment.
12. The fashion-and-beauty industry can also play a role in protecting wild cetaceans, by using eco-friendly and cruelty-free materials in their products and practices.
13. Food-and-drink establishments can reduce their environmental footprint by sourcing seafood responsibly, avoiding overfishing and supporting sustainable fishing practices.
14. The environmental impact of the travel industry, including sports-betting, sports-analysis, and weather forecasting, can be minimized through the use of energy-efficient transportation methods, renewable energy sources, and data-and-cloud computing technologies.
15. Education is key to promoting responsible actions towards the environment, as understanding the importance of preserving wild cetaceans and the overall environment can lead to sustainable lifestyle choices that benefit future generations.

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