Caspian seal environmental research

The Caspian seal suffers as a top predator in the Caspian sea from an exotic ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi (a comb jelly fish) that affects the availability of fish (kilka in particular) lower in the food chain.

A cup filled with Mnemiopsis leidyi comb jellies

Veterinary scientists from Iran developed a new method to eliminate this ctenophore,  but wanted to test this in a relatively isolated part of the Caspian sea, the Bay of Gorgan. Through cooperation with the Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre of Lenie t Hart, CABWIM was asked how the environmental impact of the new technique could be assessed (see also: SRRC in Iran)

CABWIM developed a scientifically valid approach to assess the environmental impact of the new application, fitting to the local circumstances and possibilities, and indicative for effects on seal and bird behaviour in short term, effects on injuries and mortality, and long term effects on abundance.

Caspian seal resting at the entrance of the Bay of Gorgan in Iran