Ministerial Decree No. 166 of 2000 regarding validation of the Regulation on catch and transportation of cetaceans for scientific research, cultural and educational and other non-marketable purposes.

The Government decrees to validate the Regulation. This Regulation establishes the modalities of catch of cetaceans in the internal waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone of the Russian Federation and the modalities of their transportation. Catch of cetaceans is carried out in accordance with permits issued on the basis of the legislation currently in force by State Committee for Environmental Protection as regards species included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and by Federal Fisheries Committee as regards species not included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. Juridical persons and citizens holders of permit can carry out catch and transportation of cetaceans without assistance or with assistance of other juridical persons or citizens. In the process of catch and transportation must be adopted security measures in order to prevent death and traumatization of cetaceans. Catch of cetaceans is authorized only after the visual observation of aquatic animals subject to catch from vessels, boats and other natatorial means. It is prohibited to catch groups of cetaceans that include yearly whale-calves with the accompanying females or females that manifest evident signs of pregnancy. Caught female species that don't manifest externally any sign of pregnancy but result pregnant after veterinary examination on the shore must be immediately released in their natural habitat. Catch of cetaceans is permitted all the year round under strict observance of this Regulation.