Murmansk Region develops rules for whale, bird, and marine animal observation

In the Murmansk Region, a draft of recommendations for observing marine mammals, birds, and aquatic fauna during leisure and tourist trips has been prepared. The document has been published in open access on the region«s electronic portal.

The recommendations are designed to help preserve nature and safely develop maritime and coastal tourism. A special group at the Murmansk Arctic University worked on the project. It included representatives of authorities, scientists, and participants in the tourism business.

The document collects basic rules of conduct at sea and on shore. They are intended for tour operators, shipmasters, guides, and independent tourists. The recommendations specify safe distances to animals, permissible number of vessels, their speed, and observation time. It is separately stated which actions can harm animals and are therefore unacceptable.

Also, the project takes into account the characteristics of different species of marine inhabitants — considering their behavior, vulnerability, and biological features.

It is expected that the implementation of these recommendations will help preserve the unique nature of the Murmansk Region and make tourist routes more responsible and safe.

Previously, we told about where and for how much one can see whales in the Murmansk Region. And we ourselves went out to hunt for these giants. Watch, how it was.