Centre says Caspian seal deaths remain within normal range

The number of Caspian seal deaths currently remains within normal levels, said Jeyhun Aliyev, director of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre under Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Aliyev said the issue was discussed extensively at a meeting of the Caspian Sea Water Bioresources Commission, with data provided by all littoral states indicating that seal mortality levels do not exceed normal indicators.

He noted that the Caspian Sea still has a sufficient seal population and that deaths may occur for various reasons, including natural causes. Investigations are also being carried out by specialists from Russia and Kazakhstan, while studies of the Caspian ecosystem are conducted in coordination with neighbouring countries.

According to Aliyev, climate factors play a key role in the decline of seal numbers, particularly the reduction of ice cover in the northern Caspian. Cases of seals becoming entangled in fishing nets have also been recorded. He added that the overall ecological condition of the sea remains unsatisfactory.

N.Tebrizli