Conserving humpback whales in the Barents Sea

The Nature and People

Foundation • Moscow

The Nature and People Foundation is beginning preparations for a 2026 expedition to the Barents Sea to study humpback whales. The data obtained will help scientists develop comprehensive conservation measures for these endangered species. The humpback whale is a poorly studied species, listed in the Russian Federation's Red Book. Experts lack up-to-date data on the animal's population in the Russian coastal waters of the Barents Sea, its feeding grounds, or its migratory routes. To develop comprehensive conservation measures, scientists need to conduct field research. In July 2025, the Foundation, together with experts from the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, conducted a trial expedition to Teriberka. The data obtained allowed the identification of areas for satellite tagging of whales, coastal observations, and the collection of biological material, planned for 2026. The Foundation is now beginning preparations for a long and expensive expedition in 2026. Experts will assess the whales' distribution across the waters and the impact of tourism on them, as well as study the overall health of the population. They will also collect biomaterial and samples for genetic analysis. Support the project so that scientists can complete all the necessary preparatory work and set out to sea in May-June.