Category Archives: Presidential Letters

Presidential Letter on the Impacts of Ural Saddle Dredging and Kalamkas-Sea-Khazar Oil Field Development on Caspian Seal Habitat

View a PDF of the signed letter, in English and Russian, concerning Caspian seal conservation, dated 22 September 2025.

Open Letter

To Mr. Akkenzhenov Ye.K., Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
and Others engaged in the dredging of a shipping channel across the Ural Saddle area in the northeast Caspian in relation to development of the Kalamkas-Sea-Khazar oil field

Dear Mr. Yerlan Kudaibergenovich,

The Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM), founded in 1981, is a non-profit international organization with the mission of promoting the global advancement of marine mammal science and contributing to its relevance and impact on education, conservation and management. The SMM comprises more than 2000 members from 56 countries (including Russia and Kazakhstan) and has in its membership many of the world’s leading experts on marine mammals. The SMM’s primary goal is to advance understanding of and promote conservation of marine mammals and their ecosystems.

This letter is to inform you of the view of the SMM on the critical need for Kazakhstan Authorities, and relevant local and international businesses and experts, to ensure the survival and recovery of Caspian seals, a major and symbolic component of the Caspian Sea’s biodiversity.

The Caspian seal was listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2008 (updated in 2016), and is included in the national Red Books of all five Caspian countries (categorizing it as Rare, Endangered – in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia, and Critically Endangered – in Turkmenistan), which is clear acknowledgment that the species is threatened and at risk of extinction. The full IUCN Red List assessment can be read here. Kazakhstan is also a party to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), and Caspian Seals are listed in Appendix I of this convention (meaning that a state whose territory includes the range of a listed species is obliged to afford it strict protection, conserving and restoring habitat, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger it).

Proposals for a major new dredging project in key Caspian seal habitat have been brought to our attention. LLP “Kalamkas – Khazar Operating” (KKO) has expressed an intent to dredge a shipping channel across the Ural Saddle in the northeast Caspian Sea (during April to November, 2026-2027, and April to July, 2028-2029) to support development of the Kalamkas-Sea and Khazar oil fields. The planned dredging has significant implications for Caspian seal breeding, migration, and foraging, including destruction of habitat, and disturbance and displacement of seals and their prey. The project runs counter to the actions called for in The Caspian Seal Conservation Action Plan ratified by the Caspian countries under the Caspian Environment Programme in 2007, relevant to protecting areas needed to ensure the seals can adapt to climate change, as well as the Kazakhstan government’s own national aspiration for prioritising Caspian seal conservation.

The proposed project will directly affect areas recognised as important internationally, including the Caspian seal Breeding EBSA (Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas, designated under the Convention on Biological Diversity), and the Caspian Seal Breeding Area, and Caspian Seal Transitory Migration and Feeding Area Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs), identified by the IUCN Joint SSC-WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force. Kazakhstan also has a responsibility to protect Caspian seal migration routes under the CMS. Further, the dredging project area is adjacent to the Tyulen’i Islands archipelago, which is part of the Caspian Seal Moulting and Haul Out Areas IMMA, and the State Nature Reserve “Kaspij itbalygy”. The effectiveness of this new protected area is potentially placed at risk.

The SMM has reviewed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for this project and noted that it only covers the dredging work, but not the construction, production, and transport phases. The dredging and island/platform construction will take place in core Caspian seal breeding habitat and encroach on foraging areas and migration routes. The EIA does not adequately address potential impacts on seal breeding habitat, or on other aspects of habitat use by the seals. Our SMM Conservation Committee also noted the lack of standard methodology and use of scientific data, and that much of the relevant literature has not been cited in the EIA. We ask you to recognise that the impacts on breeding areas arise from the creation of new structures, and the vessel traffic including ship traffic using the channel during the ice period.

Further, the artificial island/platform construction and associated vessel traffic during construction and production will result in a major increase in human impacts in a sensitive and already highly impacted environment. For instance, during the Kalamkas-Sea-Khazar production phase, icebreaker transits through seal breeding areas will increase, causing additional disturbance to the seals to those already arising from vessels servicing the Kashagan field. Vessel transits close to breeding seals have been shown to increase the risk of mother-pup displacement and separation, potentially leading to higher pup mortality. Reducing water levels will constrain vessel navigation options, making it harder to implement vessel avoidance of breeding seals and other mitigation measures.

Finally, given the drastic ongoing decline in Caspian Sea water level, the area under consideration for the dredging project, which is where remaining sea ice is likely to concentrate, will become increasingly critical to the seals as their distribution shifts. Caspian seals give birth between mid-January and early March on ice in the northern Caspian Sea. Research has shown that a 5-meter reduction in water level (relative to the -27.5 m 2010 datum coastline) would reduce the area of this habitat by as much as 81% – putting major additional stress on the seal population, which has already declined. The area proposed for further development is vital for the Caspian seal’s resilience and ability to adapt to future sea level declines. If the proposed dredging, construction and production takes place, it will likely cause irreparable damage to Caspian seal habitat at a time when this unique seal is already struggling to survive climate change-related pressures.

In conclusion, on behalf of the SMM, I strongly urge the Kazakhstan Government to consider all available information before proceeding with any of the proposed activities and implement measures that offset the damage caused to the Caspian seal population and habitat.

We provide a list below of important resources that give context to the substance of this letter and which were not referenced in the EIA document.

Respectfully,
Dr. Jeremy J. Kiszka, President of
the Society for Marine Mammalogy

 


 

Attachment to Open Letter dated 22 September 2025

Приложение к Открытому письму от 22 сентября 2025 г.

 

1. Rapid decline of Caspian Sea level threatens ecosystem integrity, biodiversity protection, and
human infrastructure
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02212-5

2. Assessment of impacts and potential mitigation for icebreaking vessels transiting pupping
areas of an ice-breeding seal
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320717301672

3.Individual variation in seasonal movements and foraging strategies of a land-locked, ice-
breeding pinniped
https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m554p241.pdf

4.Breeding behavior and pup development of the Caspian seal, Pusa caspica
https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article/98/1/143/2525933

5.Caspian Seal Important Marine Mammal Areas
https://www.marinemammalhabitat.org/factsheets/caspian-seal-transitory-migration-and-feeding-area-imma/
https://www.marinemammalhabitat.org/factsheets/caspian-seal-breeding-area-imma/
https://www.marinemammalhabitat.org/factsheets/caspian-seal-moulting-and-haul-out-areas-imma/

6. CBD Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Report of the regional workshop to
facilitate the description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas in the Black
Sea and Caspian Sea.
https://www.cbd.int/ebsa/ (2018).

7. IUCN-MMPATF. Global Dataset of Important Marine Mammal Areas (IUCN-IMMA). October
2022. Made available under agreement on terms and conditions of use by the IUCN Joint
SSC/WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force and accessible via the IMMA e-Atlas.
https://www.marinemammalhabitat.org/imma-eatlas (2022)

Remembering Ian Stirling (1941–2024)

Dear Colleagues,

14 May 2024 marked the first anniversary of the passing of Dr. Ian Stirling.

The Society for Marine Mammalogy pauses to remember and celebrate his extraordinary life and enduring legacy.

Ian was a pioneer in polar bear ecology and one of the world’s foremost authorities on Arctic marine mammals. Over a career spanning more than five decades, his work transformed our understanding of polar bears, seals, and other marine mammals across both polar regions. His meticulous long-term studies revealed the profound effects of climate change on Arctic ecosystems, and he was among the earliest scientists to articulate the risks posed by sea ice loss to polar bears.

Ian was a charter member and Life Member of the Society for Marine Mammalogy and served as its President from 1996 to 1998—the first Canadian to do so. He was also a founding member of the original editorial board for Marine Mammal Science and was honoured with the Society’s Norris Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2013. His influence extended beyond his own science: he mentored dozens of students, collaborated widely, and worked tirelessly to ensure that traditional knowledge and community partnerships informed wildlife research and conservation.

Ian’s deep commitment to science communication also left a lasting mark. His five books on polar bears helped bring the Arctic into the public imagination and remain essential reading for anyone seeking to understand these iconic animals and the threats they face.

On a personal note, I corresponded with Ian over many years and always looked forward to catching up with him at our biennial meetings. Some years ago, he sent me his original field notebooks from the late 1960s and early 1970s, when he was working on fur seals and sea lions at the South Neptune Islands in South Australia. They now sit in an archive box in my office titled The Stirling Chronicles—a gift I treasure deeply. That gesture, like so many of Ian’s, spoke to his kindness, generosity, and enduring passion for marine mammal science.

Ian was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a cherished friend to many in our community. Even in retirement, he continued his fieldwork in the Arctic and Antarctic and remained an active voice for conservation. He was a remarkable scientist and human being who had an incredible impact on our field and on our Society.

We honour his legacy—with respect, gratitude, and remembrance.

Warm regards,
Simon Goldsworthy
President, Society for Marine Mammalogy

Nominate a SMM Member to be a Fellow for the Class of 2023

Announcement and Date extension

NOMINATE A FELLOW MEMBER
In 2019, the members of the Society for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) voted to establish a Fellows Membership Category. We are pleased to announce our Society’s second call for nominations of Fellow Members.

The SMM Constitution identifies a ‘Fellow’ as a member who is being recognized by the Society and its membership as having “rendered conspicuous service or made truly notable contributions to the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of marine mammal science or the fostering of its practical applications through conservation of marine mammals. Payment of dues to the Society by the Fellow would remain the same as for a normal Full member.”

Nominations are Open.
We are pleased to announce that the nomination period is extended until 15 January 2024. So please come nominate a Fellow for the Society.

ELIGIBILITY
Any current Full member of the SMM after being a Full member for a minimum of five years is eligible. These five years do not have to be contiguous. Please confirm with the nominee that they meet the five-year eligibility criterion prior to submission.

Note: the current members of the SMM Board (which includes elected officers and committee chairs) are not eligible for consideration for Fellows status.

HOW TO NOMINATE
If you are a current SMM member, you may nominate an eligible SMM member as a Fellow. We ask that you submit a complete dossier, described in detail below, to the Fellows Nomination web page by 15 January 2024. The dossier must be uploaded to the Fellows Nomination web page as a single .pdf document.

Each dossier shall include the following elements.

(1) Letter of Nomination. This letter should provide insight into a nominee’s service, notable contributions to the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of marine mammal science, or the fostering of its practical applications through the conservation of marine mammals. The nominating letter can be no longer than one page (12 pt font).
The Committee will consider the following factors:

  1. service to the Society;
  2. contributions to marine mammal science including activities such as publications and presentations, field work, research and development, or administrative and logistical support; or
  3. contributions to the teaching or dissemination of knowledge of marine mammal science and conservation. Due to the diversity of disciplines and activities of The Society for Marine Mammalogy members, the relative importance of these factors will differ from candidate to candidate. The Fellow candidate would be expected to be exemplary in, and have made substantial contributions to, at least one of these factors (e.g. be in the top 10% of the membership).

(2) Seconding letters. The dossier should also include two seconding letters, one of which must be from a current SMM member. Signed-in SMM members can search for all current members via the SMM Member Directory. Each seconding letter can be no longer than one page (12 pt font).

(3) Complete curriculum vitae of the nominee. The format and length of this document is unrestricted, as we are encouraging nominations of individuals from broadly different backgrounds and the standard CV formats across fields are likely different. Note that only text should be submitted as part of the CV. If audio or video files are relevant provide a link in the documents submitted.

(4) Proposed maximum 20-word citation for the Fellow (e.g., Kenneth S. Norris – for efforts to found the Society and contributions to the process of dolphin echolocation and hearing).

All materials must be uploaded here: https://marinemammalscience.org/about-us/fellows-program/fellows-program-nomination/

DOSSIER REVIEW PROCESS
The dossiers will be received by the committee Co-chairs and the SMM Members-at-Large.

Identifying information about the nominator and seconders will be redacted from each dossier to ensure a blind review. The Fellows Committees will be Co-Chaired by the Members-at-Large, who will form a committee of seven members holding Fellow status, and at least one contributing, but not voting student member, with attention paid to diversity of representation. Members will serve staggered, four-year terms. Fellows Committee members may not submit nominations. For more information about the Fellows Committee, please see the General Operating Policies of our SMM governing documents.

QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about the nomination process, please reach out to the Co-Chairs of the Fellows Committee, our Members-at-Large:
Cindy Peter and Dipani Sutaria (mal@marinemammalscience.org)
For any technical questions regarding the online application, please email admin@marinemammalscience.org.

Thank you,
Members-at-Large 2023
Society of Marine Mammalogy

Government of Mozambique chooses to relinquish seismic explorations in core dugong habitat in response to stakeholder input, including SMM Presidential Letter

Good news!

In March 2020, SMM President, D. Ann Pabst signed an SMM Presidential Letter to attract the attention of the Government of Mozambique on the high risks involved in letting the South African SASOL oil giant conduct seismic explorations in core habitat of the last healthy population of dugongs in Africa.

Today South African petroleum giant, SASOL, announced that they have chosen to relinquish Blocks 16 & 19 (the area just to the north of the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park in southern Mozambique) in their entirety to the Government of Mozambique and that the Mozambican authorities have been notified of this decision.

SASOL acknowledged all the comments received during the pre-feasibility phase of the EIA process from scientists, NGOs, tourism operators, fishers, local community members, and international authorities. They said they valued the input provided by these stakeholders.

They stated that they understood and appreciated the environmental sensitivity of the area in question and maintained that sustainability is integral to how SASOL conducts business.

This is encouraging not only for the dugongs – long may they live – but also because it shows that we must never give up.

See the Presidential Letter here:
https://marinemammalscience.org/…/presidential-letter-to-m…/

See Official Press Release here:
https://drive.google.com/…/1GdErAjUy1y9AToOWRUVEXgw2EW…/view