On Sunday, 12 May, sea hunters from the Sireniki territorial neighbourhood community in the Providensky urban district caught their first whale of the season. Regional sea hunters are authorised to harpoon nearly 140 marine giants this season, according to IA Chukotka.

Sireniki marine hunters set out on Saturday and by early Sunday morning had brought a harvested whale back to their settlement. After performing a traditional ritual onshore, they proceeded to butcher the whale. Hunters distributed whale meat and mantak (blubbered skin) to settlement residents, freezing any leftovers in a refrigerated container. This year, TNC Sireniki has been granted a quota to harvest five gray whales and one bowhead whale. Overall, the Association of Indigenous Minorities of Chukotka allocated permits for 130 gray whales and 2 bowhead whales across 10 communities in the region. Additionally, there are 5 gray whales and 3 bowheads kept in reserve.

Chukotka is the sole Russian region authorised for indigenous whaling. Marine hunters provide whale meat to over nine thousand regional residents. The distribution of marine mammal meat and fat is permitted among coastal settlement residents, with exchanges for venison with reindeer herders also allowed. The products can only be sold as handcrafted souvenirs made from whale bones and baleen.

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