Source: High North News, No.11, Nov. 1996, published by the High North Alliance

    IFAW’s Investments in Russia Yield Returns

    The 1995 annual report of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) reports that “considerable progress was made in establishing the governmental and scientific contacts needed to bring about an eventual end to the hunt of whitecoat baby seals in Russia’s white sea”. The fact that a proposal for legislation intended to stop the hunt has now been submitted, must be seen in context with IFAW’s activities in Russia, claims an article in the Russian newspaper, Pravda Severa on October 26 this year.

    IFAW’s contact with Russian researchers is not only of a social nature, but also has its economic aspects. About 30 researchers, approximately 25% of all Russian marine mammal scientists, are being paid US$ 300 a month on condition that they agree to stay away from the sealing industry and to involve themselves only in non-lethal research.

    The proposed legislation was first tried out in the county duma of Murmansk, where it was met with approval. Murmansk has not taken part in sealing of late, but the hunt is still of great importance to several fisheries kolkohser in the Archangel area. The proposed legislation has yet to be brought up in a national duma.

    For further details, look for these articles in the NEWS section of the High North Web:

    • June 10, 1996: Handing out Money to Russian Seal Researchers: The Questions IFAW Do Not Want to Answer
    • l April 24, 1996: International Fund for Animal Welfare: Subterfuge in Russia

Back to the High North News Contents Page