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Open Blue Ocean

Endangered Cook Inlet Beluga Whales

Beluga Stocks copy.jpg

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/beluga-whale

  • Five five stocks of beluga whales in Alaska

  • The five stocks are Beaufort Sea, Bristol Bay, Cook Inlet, Eastern Bering Sea, and Eastern Chukchi Sea

  • Only the Cook Inlet population is endangered

  • Cook Inlet belugas are a distinct population segment

  • Designated as a species in the spotlight by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)​​​

Tuxedni Bay is the only known winter foraging grounds and according to data collected in 2024 by NOAA fisheries. "Managing future human activities to minimize habitat degradation and acoustic disturbance in this winter foraging refuge may be a key to support continued recovery of this endangered whale population" according to Verena Gill from NOAA fisheries Alaska Regional Office.​​​

Beluga Photo - Ryan Alekman.jpg

NOAA's Recovery Plan:

  • 2008 the Cook Inlet population was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

  • 2011 critical habitat was designated

  • 2016 a recovery plan was created by NOAA 

  • The plan recommends the following major actions:

​          > Protect habitat and designate critical habitat​

          > Minimize the effects of noise disturbance

          > Respond to stranded beluga whales

          > Implement oil spill response plans if a spill occurs

          > Review projects that could harm beluga whales

          > Manage subsistence harvests

          > Educate the public about belugas and threats

This beluga was seen by guest Ryan Alekman visiting Silver Salmon Lodge in summer 2024.

 Alaskans Love Belugas!​

  • Every spring and fall citizen scientists monitor and document sightings 

  • Citizen scientists also capturing other species, sounds, industrial activity, such as shipping, aviation flights, and the general public sharing the waters

  • This valuable data collected helps inform federal agencies the frequency and quantity at which people are seeing whales

  • Some viewers capture photographic evidence of the whales which when submitted properly to the Photo ID project are matched to existing documented whales in the population. 

  • Every year Belugas Count Day! in September is hosted by multiple organizations and everyone is invited to celebrate these whales​

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