What conservation actions have been used to protect Caspian seals?

To protect the endangered Caspian seal, countries bordering the Caspian Sea have implemented several conservation measures, though these efforts remain inconsistent and are not legally binding across the entire region.12

Key actions include:

• Hunting Regulations: During the 1960s and 1970s, bordering nations introduced hunting quotas and specific regulations, such as prohibitions against taking female seals on their breeding grounds.12
• Fisheries Management: Efforts have been made to deter illegal sturgeon fishing, particularly in Kazakhstan since the 2010s, which helps reduce the risk of seals becoming bycatch in fishing nets.12
• Rescue and Rehabilitation: In Iran, some coastal fishing communities have increased initiatives to free entangled seals and rehabilitate injured animals rather than euthanizing them.12

Despite these steps, the species continues to face significant threats from water pollution, commercial fishing pressure on prey populations, and outbreaks of canine distemper virus.12