UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN ... - Bizjournals

Case 1:13-cv-03241-AT Document 1 Filed 09/30/13 Page 30 of 64third baidar was used only if the initial collection attempt conducted by the othertwo baidars failed.61. When a suitable group of belugas was located in sufficiently shallowwater, the collection team would begin engaging the whales. The baidars wouldseparate and encircle the whales by deploying the seine net behind them in acurving trajectory to create a “compass” around the whales. After the compasswas formed, the two ends of the net were tied together to eliminate areas of netoverlap where whales might become trapped. Once the seine net was closedaround the whale group, the team conducted a second visual assessment of theanimals swimming inside the seine net. The examination team included aveterinarian or equally trained animal care specialist. If there were any newborncalves, mother-calf pairs, large adults, or juveniles less than one-year old present,the net was opened and all of the animals allowed to exit. If the net did not includenewborn calves, mother-calf pairs, large adults, or juveniles less than one-year old,one baidar would sail for the nearby beach of Baydukova Island. There, the baidarwould land onshore and the collection team would begin slowly pulling the net intoshore by hand. This would simultaneously decrease the diameter of the compasswhile moving the whales into still shallower waters where they could be moreeasily handled.30