Russian Prosecutor General’s Office brands Wild Salmon Centre ‘undesirable’ organisation

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office has recognised the work of the non-governmental US organisation Wild Salmon Centre as “undesirable”, as per the website of the office.

The prosecutor’s decision states that WSC is financed by private commercial and non-commercial institutions, including Google, as well as the United States Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, and Department of the Interior.

“The declared goal of the organisation is ‘preserving pacific salmon’. In practice, the work of WSC in the Russian Federation is used as a cover for implementation of projects aimed at constraining Russian economic development,” the decision states.

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office claims that the organisation promoted “allegedly useful initiatives” about creating specially protected natural areas in the territories of the Far East. The plan was to limit fishing there and to stop using those territories. According to the prosecutor’s office, that was done to “block gas and oil industries on the territory of the Sakhalin region in favour of interests of foreign non-governmental companies and individuals”.

WSC also gave financial support to the organisation Sakhalin’s Environmental Watch.

“Thus, formally promoting environmental protection, the organisation interferes with the domestic affairs of the Russian Federation and can damage Russia economically,” the statement reads.

The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office previously branded Greenpeace and WWF to be “undesirable” organisations in Russia. The Altai Project was also recognised as “undesirable” — the project protects wildlife and provides support to indigenous people.