SPECIES in the SPOTLIGHT - Priority Actions 2021-2025 Species in the Spotlight Priority Actions 2021 2025 - National ...
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SPECIES in the
SPOTLIGHT
Priority Actions 2021–2025
Species in the Spotlight
Priority Actions 2021 - 2025
California Coast Coho Salmon
(Oncorhynchus kisutch)
Cook Inlet
Beluga Whale
(Delphinapterus leucas)
Cover: Credit: Paul Wade, NOAA Fisheries, NMFS Permit #20465
Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
Credit: Paul R. Wade, NOAA Fisheries, NMFS Permit #20465
The Species in the Spotlight Initiative
In 2015, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) launched the Species in the Spot-
light initiative to provide immediate, targeted efforts to halt declines and stabilize populations,
focus resources within and outside of NOAA on the most at-risk species, guide agency actions
where we have discretion to make investments, increase public awareness and support for these
species, and expand partnerships. We have renewed the initiative for 2021-2025.
The criteria for Species in the Spotlight are that they are • Pacific leatherback sea turtle
endangered, their populations are declining, and they • Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon ESU
are considered a recovery priority #1C (84 FR 18243,
4/30/2019). A recovery priority #1C species is one • Southern resident killer whale DPS
whose extinction is almost certain in the immediate • White abalone
future because of rapid population decline or habitat
For some of these species, their numbers are so low
destruction, and because of conflicts with construction,
that they need to be bred in captivity; others are facing
development, or economic activity.
human threats that must be addressed to prevent their
• As of January 2021, the following nine species are extinction. In most cases, we understand the limiting
our Species in the Spotlight. factors and threats to these species, and we know that
• Atlantic salmon Gulf of Maine distinct population the necessary management actions have a high prob-
segment (DPS) ability of success. In some cases, we are prioritizing
research to better understand the threats so we can
• Central California Coast coho salmon evolutionarily fine-tune our actions for the maximum effect. We know
significant unit (ESU) we can’t do this alone. A major part of the Species in the
• Cook Inlet beluga whale DPS Spotlight initiative is to expand partnerships and moti-
vate individuals to work with us to get these species on
• Hawaiian monk seal
the road to recovery.
• North Atlantic right whale (added in 2019)
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 1
Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
Priority Action Plans This action plan builds on the success of the past 5
years, and highlights the actions that can be taken by
The 5-year action plan is part of a strategy to marshal
us, other federal and state resource agencies, environ-
resources for species listed under the Endangered
mental organizations, Alaska Native tribes, and other
Species Act of 1973 (ESA) for which immediate, targeted
partners to work toward turning the trend around for
efforts are vital for stabilizing their populations and
Cook Inlet beluga whales from a declining trajectory
preventing their extinction.
and toward recovery. We appreciate all of our current
In its first 5 years, the Species in the Spotlight initiative partners and collaborators, as the steps we need to take
has been successful at raising awareness, increasing to stabilize these species would not be possible without
partnerships, and prioritizing funding, providing or them.
leveraging more than $113 million towards projects
that will help stabilize these highly at-risk species.
NOAA Fisheries Contact
We renewed the Species in the Spotlight initiative
If you are interested in working with us, or if you have
for 2021-2025, and have updated the priority action
questions about any of the priority actions contained in
plans that outline what we need to do to prevent their
this plan, please contact:
extinction.
Verena A. Gill, Supervisory Biologist, Protected
The 2021-2025 action plans build upon existing action,
Resources Division, Anchorage, Alaska, (907) 271-1937,
recovery, or conservation plans and detail the focused
verena.gill@noaa.gov
efforts needed over the next 5 years to reduce threats
and stabilize population declines. We will continue to
engage our partners in the public and private sectors in Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Status
actions they can take to support this important effort.
The endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale was chosen as
We will report on our progress through the Biennial
one of the most at-risk species because this declining
Recovering Threatened and Endangered Species Report
population of small whales shares Cook Inlet with
to Congress and on our Species in the Spotlight web
Alaska’s human population center, transportation hub,
pages.
and largest concentration of industrial activity. The
This strategy will continue to guide agency actions population has declined by nearly 79 percent since 1979,
where we have the discretion to make critical invest- from about 1,300 whales to an estimated 279 whales in
ments to safeguard these most endangered species. 2018. The rapid decline and dire status of the Cook Inlet
The strategy will not divert resources away from the beluga whale population makes it a priority for NOAA
important and continued efforts to support all ESA- Fisheries and our partners to prevent extinction and
listed species under our authority. Many of the species promote recovery of this iconic species.
we manage have long-standing conservation programs
supported by multiple partners. We remain committed
to those programs.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 2
Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
Credit: Paul R. Wade, NOAA Fisheries, NMFS Permit #20465
Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Key Conservation
Efforts/Challenges
Cook Inlet belugas have long been a valuable part of the Humans use the waters and shores of Cook Inlet for
regional Alaska Native subsistence diet, but unregu- fishing, hunting, timber harvest, mining, shipping,
lated subsistence hunting during the 1990s occurred at dredging, renewable energy production, wastewater
a level that the population could not sustain. From 1994 discharge, military activities, oil and gas development,
to 1998, the beluga population in Cook Inlet declined transportation, and residential and industrial devel-
nearly 50 percent. Hunting was severely curtailed in opment. Many of these same areas of Cook Inlet are
1999, and the last hunt in 2005 was limited to two important to belugas for foraging, reproduction and
whales. Unfortunately, almost 20 years after hunting calving, and predator avoidance. The Recovery Plan for
ceased, the population has not recovered. the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (NMFS 2016) identifies 10
threats experts believe are obstacles to the recovery of
Hunting is not the only threat that belugas face. We
this species, and identifies the most important actions
work continuously with regulatory agencies and project
we can take to address those threats.
proponents to minimize the degree to which develop-
ment and other human activities may harm Cook Inlet Although Cook Inlet belugas live close to humans, we
belugas or damage habitats essential to their survival. do not have the same level of understanding of these
Reducing in-water noise is an especially important focal whales as we do for some other coastal marine spe-
effort due to the importance of hearing to the Cook Inlet cies because the turbid waters of Cook Inlet pose a
belugas’ survival in the extraordinarily turbid waters of challenge. In most of Cook Inlet, especially the upper
Cook Inlet. We regularly review proposed actions and regions, there is so much glacial silt in the water that
recommend steps to minimize the likelihood of adverse one can’t see beneath the water’s surface. This chal-
impacts on these whales and to minimize the possibility lenging habitat limits our ability to observe and docu-
of injury or abandonment of critical habitats. ment behaviors and activities of submerged belugas. As
a result, some visual observation methods successful
Cook Inlet belugas are unique among cetaceans in
for studying other marine species are not as viable for
Alaska given that their core habitat and range is close
studying Cook Inlet belugas.
to a large proportion of Alaska’s human population.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 3
Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
Credit: Hollis Europe and Jacob Barbaro, NOAA Fisheries, NMFS Permit #20465
Key Actions Needed 2021-2025
The key actions that follow represent a small subset in helping achieve the actions, but are not committed to
of the recovery actions identified in the 2016 recovery a specific activity or commitment of resources. This list
plan, and represent actions we and partners can take in is not comprehensive of all potential partners, and we
the next 5 years to promote recovery of the species. The welcome partnering with others not identified within
partners identified below have indicated their interest this plan.
Continue to Improve Understanding of Why Cook Inlet Beluga Whales are not Recovering by
Enhancing the Stranding Response Program
Description and Background: Obtaining biological stranding response plan to include sample collection
samples from live and dead stranded animals is critical protocols, 2) training key stranding response per-
for assessing the health of Cook Inlet beluga whales and sonnel during regular drills and scenarios, 3) preparing
the impediments to recovery. Likewise, placing satel- stranding response kits in advance of a stranding,
lite tags on live stranded animals is an important way 4) improving communications and plans for faster
to obtain data on their movements to inform future response times, 5) accessing laboratory space sufficient
recovery actions. Due to the challenging environmental to examine a dead beluga whale and having the means
conditions in Cook Inlet, responses to stranded beluga to transport carcasses to the laboratory, 6) incorpo-
whales (both alive and dead) need to be well planned to rating new or improved technology into the response
optimize both human safety during a response and the program, and 7) promoting the use of citizen science
effectiveness of a response. Improving Cook Inlet beluga and encouraging reporting of strandings by the public.
whale stranding response should involve continuing
Expected Benefits to the Species: Prompt identifica-
efforts toward 1) updating and revising the existing
tion of and effective responses to beluga strandings
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 4
Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
(live and dead) have resulted in improved knowledge Recovery Plan for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale:
of the whales by maximizing the quality and quan-
• recovery criteria V.C.1.b.E.1 and V.C.2.b.E.2 (pg. 120,
tity of biological samples collected during responses.
122)
The development of improved methods to support
live-stranded whales and better monitor their condi- • recovery actions VI.A.24, and VI.A.44 (pg. 139, 147)
tion could help to reduce mortality as a result of live Location: Key areas along Cook Inlet, especially in
stranding and enhance recovery. Results from a thor- areas where beluga whales are known to strand.
ough bio-sampling program of live-stranded animals
could inform researchers about the causes of decline or Partners: Department of Defense–Joint Base
impediments to recovery. Improvements to our ability Elmendorf Richardson; Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-
to conduct timely and thorough necropsies of dead Identification Project Group; Alaska Department of Fish
animals can improve our understanding of their cause and Game; Alaska SeaLife Center; Alaska Veterinary
of death, which is unknown for a significant number Pathology Services; Alaska Beluga Monitoring
of previously necropsied whales, largely due to the Partnership; the Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding
delays associated with accessing the carcasses. Given Network.
the remoteness of Cook Inlet, ongoing monitoring for Current Status: We have distributed stranding
strandings has been and could continue to be enhanced response kits to specially trained partners, giving
by expanding public participation at the local level. them the tools to conduct thorough field examinations
Signs posted in waterfront locations encourage the of beluga carcasses. We have updated and revised the
public to report stranded whales. Annual reminders existing stranding response plan to include sample col-
with the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region stranding lection protocols as well as prepare stranding response
hotline phone number should be sent directly to kits in advance of a stranding. We have improved ser-
people who are most likely to encounter carcasses, and vice agreements for aircraft that meet required federal
repeated annual public service announcements through safety protocols so they are available to us on short
a variety of avenues (such as radio, TV, the web, social notice to allow access to stranded whales along those
media, and printed material for boaters, fishermen, portions of Cook Inlet that are not road accessible. We
and pilots via harbormasters, fishing license distribu- have also enhanced service agreements and collabora-
tors, or flight control centers) will serve to remind the tion with veterinarians and pathologists, and improved
general public of the importance of promptly reporting collaboration and coordination with the Alaska
strandings. Department of Fish and Game, Alaska State Troopers,
Source: Anchorage Police Department, Beluga Whale Alliance,
With these
improvements we
are close to a 100
percent response
rate to reported
stranded belugas
and our stranding
response time
continues to
improve.
Credit: Julie Fair, NOAA Fisheries
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 5
Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
We have attended and held various
events where stranding response was
a key message, including an annual
beluga public workshop at the Alaska
Marine Science Symposium, numerous
in-school presentations, outreach booths
at large public events (e.g., boat, plane,
sportsmen’s shows), the annual Belugas
Count! festival, and the Alaska Beluga
bookmarks, and new signs for pullouts along public
Monitoring Partnership training and roadways adjacent to Cook Inlet.
monitoring sessions.
With the increased efforts in outreach and education,
which includes encouraging reporting of strandings by
the public, we expect to receive reports on stranded
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and industry pro- belugas faster.
tected species observers to report alive and dead Resources:
belugas as soon as possible. With these improvements
we are close to a 100 percent response rate to reported Funding: In addition to the operation costs of the
stranded belugas and our stranding response time Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network, we have
continues to improve. allocated money for veterinary services to aid with
necropsies and histopathology ($60,000 in 2017 and
There has been a large increase in outreach and educa- $100,000 in 2020). In addition, both Alaska Veterinary
tion about Cook Inlet belugas since 2017, and within Pathology Services and the Alaska SeaLife Center have
that framework one of the prevailing messages has received Prescott Grant funding from NOAA Fisheries
been to report dead and live-stranded belugas. First with a focus on responding to Cook Inlet belugas; in
and foremost we have improved visibility and access 2020 that amount was $100,000 each. In 2018 we
for the stranding hotline. In addition we have made provided $45,000 to the Alaska Department of Fish and
an effort to increase media coverage and public ser- Game to analyze stomach contents from marine mam-
vice announcements, including an animated short mals with a priority for Cook Inlet belugas, and in 2021
for the Belugas Count! event. We have also increased we plan to provide another $56,000 toward this effort.
our social media presence and partners have created Every year NOAA Fisheries spends $5,000 to $10,000
several Facebook and Instagram pages specifically for air support to respond to stranding reports.
for Cook Inlet belugas that have a large ”fan base” that
has been active in reporting sightings. The Belugas Opportunities for Partners:
Count! Facebook page now has around 2,000 people We encourage additional partners to join and expand
following, commenting, messaging, and posting on it the Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network. These
year-round. We have attended and held various events efforts will require cooperation of numerous entities
where stranding response was a key message, including to be successful; they do not need to be initiated or led
an annual beluga public workshop at the Alaska Marine by NOAA Fisheries, but they should be developed in col-
Science Symposium, numerous in-school presentations, laboration with us and other partners.
outreach booths at large public events (e.g., boat, plane,
sportsmen’s shows), the annual Belugas Count! festival, We encourage the public to immediately report
and the Alaska Beluga Monitoring Partnership training stranded (alive or dead) Cook Inlet beluga whales to the
and monitoring sessions. We have produced new edu- NOAA Fisheries Stranding Hotline (877-925-7773).
cational materials to promote the stranding hotline
number, such as beluga activity sticker sheets, beluga
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 6
Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
Reduce the Threat of Anthropogenic Noise in Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Habitat
and Marine Life Joint Industry
Programme is used elsewhere by
the oil and gas industry to direct
research that will help industry
and managers identify effective and
efficient mitigation measures for
oil and gas development, and may
be a useful model for all develop-
ment projects (not just oil and gas)
in Cook Inlet. Such a coalition would
allow participants to pool resources
and focus their efforts on environ-
mentally responsible development
and effective mitigation that will
benefit the recovery of the Cook
Inlet beluga whales. Anthropogenic
activities in Cook Inlet are not likely
Credit: Manual Castellote, NOAA Fisheries to decrease in the near future, thus
a third need is the development,
Description and Background: Cook Inlet beluga testing, and routine incorporation of sound-reducing
whales are vulnerable to harassment and injury from technologies, especially for major noise-producing
human-caused sources of noise. Using available infor- activities such as cargo ship transit.
mation about the hearing sensitivity, movements, distri-
Expected Benefits to the Species: Improved under-
bution, and habitat use of Cook Inlet beluga whales, we
standing of the acoustic environment where Cook
work with other agencies and stakeholders to minimize
Inlet belugas live will improve the assessments and
the likelihood of noise having adverse impacts on these
mitigation of effects to Cook Inlet beluga whales from
whales and to minimize the possibility of injury or
noise-producing activities. Incorporation of mitiga-
abandonment of critical habitats. We will expand these
tion measures into project planning and approvals will
efforts with partners as part of this action. Effective
minimize incidental taking of beluga whales from noise-
management also includes working with partners to
producing activities. Better coordination of acoustic
understand and mitigate acoustic threats. Three needs
information collected by Cook Inlet resource users and
are apparent. First, year-round monitoring of back-
the development and implementation of noise-reducing
ground noise in present-day and historical key areas
technologies will also improve the ability to effectively
for Cook Inlet belugas (e.g., Susitna River Delta and the
manage the Cook Inlet beluga whales. Ultimately, these
Kenai River) is necessary to identify areas where the
acoustic environment may no longer be suitable for
belugas, either seasonally or year-round. Long-term
monitoring allows for establishment of present-day
baseline levels of background noise, which are required Scientists from NOAA Fisheries and the
to identify potential changes in the acoustic environ-
ment caused by future anthropogenic activities in Cook Alaska Department of Fish and Game have
Inlet. Second, although the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale been deploying passive acoustic monitors
Recovery Implementation Task Force has made some around 14 key locations in Cook Inlet to
gains, we encourage the resource development com-
munity in Cook Inlet to expand efforts to collaboratively identify beluga seasonal feeding grounds
compile data to share for consultation, permitting, and to better understand noise in these
project planning, and mitigation processes. Several
development projects in Cook Inlet have independently
waters and its potential effects on belugas
conducted similar acoustic studies to define baseline year-round.
conditions or for project planning purposes, but some
of the study results remain proprietary. The E&P Sound
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 7
Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
been deploying passive acoustic monitors around 14
key locations in Cook Inlet to identify beluga seasonal
feeding grounds and to better understand noise in these
We have begun to develop a Population waters and its potential effects on belugas year-round.
Consequences of Disturbance (PCoD)
In a project funded by BOEM, we will also deploy
model to assess the degree to which Cetacean and Porpoise Detectors (C-PoDs) in lower
anthropogenic disturbance, and in Cook Inlet in 2021. These detectors classify groups of
potential echolocation signals based on the intensity,
particular noise, may impact survival and duration, frequency content, and variation in inter-
reproduction of Cook Inlet belugas. click intervals. This provides temporal data on beluga
activity such as presence, feeding behavior, or habitat
usage and provides information about the relative
importance of certain habitats (e.g., river mouths)
steps will promote recovery by reducing the threat of to belugas, and the degree to which humans acousti-
anthropogenic noise to Cook Inlet beluga whales. cally affect these areas. We have begun to develop a
Population Consequences of Disturbance (PCoD) model
Source: to assess the degree to which anthropogenic distur-
Recovery Plan for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale: bance, and in particular noise, may impact survival and
reproduction of Cook Inlet belugas.
• recovery criteria V.C.2.b.D.2 (pg. 122)
Resources:
• recovery actions VI.A.31, , VI.A.32, and VI.A.63 (pg.
141, 142 and 154) Funding: Effective implementation of this action
Location: Noise-producing projects occur throughout requires a comprehensive understanding of the Cook
the range of the Cook Inlet beluga whales. Long-term Inlet beluga whales’ acoustic environment and prac-
acoustic monitoring should be conducted in high-use tical ways for reducing the threats caused by noise. We
areas of Cook Inlet beluga whale habitat. Noise reduc- have funded $100,000 to deploy acoustic monitors and
tion technologies should be considered throughout $71,000 for visual observers near the Port of Alaska in
Cook Inlet beluga whale habitat. 2021. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has
provided $350,000 to the C-PoD project with an addi-
Partners: U.S. Department of Defense–Joint Base tional $100,000 from NOAA Fisheries. To date the PCoD
Elmendorf Richardson; Alaska Department of Fish and model has been funded $77,000 in its first year, with
Game; Port of Alaska; Bureau of Ocean and Energy hopefully more resources to be added.
Management (BOEM); University of Alaska.
Opportunities for Partners:
Current Status: We have reduced the threats posed by
industrial noise in the waters within 10 miles of espe- We encourage the U.S. Department of Defense–Joint
cially important habitat around the Susitna River Delta Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska Department of Fish
by working with the oil and gas industry and other and Game, Port of Alaska, BOEM, industry, and other
developers to limit their activities in that area during groups collecting acoustic data in Cook Inlet to partner
the spring and summer. The Port of Alaska and Port with NOAA Fisheries to organize a resource user group
Mackenzie, both in Knik Arm, have implemented exten- coalition to share data, project planning, and mitigation
sive monitoring and mitigation measures during large processes regarding potential changes in the acoustic
pile-driving projects to reduce noise impacts to belugas environment caused by anthropogenic activities in
migrating past the ports to feeding and breeding areas. Cook Inlet.
We will deploy four acoustic moorings near the Port of We encourage cooperation of numerous entities
Alaska in 2021 to monitor beluga presence during times across governmental agencies and the private sector
with and without pile-driving activities. This will be to develop alternative technologies, which are quieter
paired with a visual observation project so that there than the sources of noise used in Cook Inlet today.
will be acoustic recorders and human eyes ensuring While these actions do not all need to be initiated or led
beluga activity will be seen and heard during the exten- by NOAA Fisheries, they should be developed in collabo-
sive port repair project in an area critical to beluga ration with us and other partners.
feeding and passage. Scientists from NOAA Fisheries
and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 8Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
Protect Habitats that Support Foraging or Reproduction of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales
Credit: Hollis Europe and Jacob Barbaro,
Credit: Verena Gill, NOAA Fisheries NOAA Fisheries, NMFS Permit #20465
Description and Background: Certain habitats within exclusion zone for certain noise-producing activities in
Cook Inlet appear to be especially important for beluga the Susitna River Delta. This specific habitat protection
feeding or reproduction, factors crucial to recovery. measure targets prime times when belugas congregate
Habitat protection measures for belugas have arisen in large numbers for foraging and reproduction. The
primarily through mitigation measures negotiated development of additional measures that outline the
via ESA section 7 consultations and Marine Mammal threats posed by specific activities in vulnerable areas
Protection Act incidental take authorizations. These and identify ways to mitigate effects on belugas will
mitigation measures have focused on providing sea- not only help with conservation of belugas, but also
sonal, localized protection of belugas from certain will provide consistency and early notice for planning
types of anthropogenic noise, but have not extended purposes for human activities in those areas. Protection
beyond temporarily reducing a particular threat. A or restoration of beluga prey habitats, especially those
more systematic attempt to consider and potentially leading to areas where belugas concentrate to feed,
adopt specific habitat protection measures for vulner- may result in improved foraging opportunities, and
able areas during sensitive times of year for feeding or ultimately improve individual whales’ fitness and
reproduction would benefit belugas while providing chances for successful reproduction. Protecting par-
greater predictability for human users of these areas. ticularly valuable habitats during sensitive times of
To be effective, such an effort must include input from a year will increase the opportunities for belugas to feed
variety of stakeholders and have a good understanding and reproduce successfully, directly benefiting their
of areas important to Cook Inlet belugas during each recovery.
season of the year.
Source:
Expected Benefits to the Species: Protection of
Recovery Plan for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale:
habitats vital for foraging or reproduction is crucial for
allowing the population to grow and recover. Available • recovery criteria V.C.1.b.D.5 (pg. 120)
information suggests that limiting anthropogenic dis-
• recovery actions VI.A.36, VI.A.39, VI.A.41, VI.A.47
turbance in particular areas during vulnerable times
(pg. 144, 146, 148)
of year could enhance successful beluga feeding and
reproduction. Establishing specific measures would Location: Habitats important for Cook Inlet beluga
benefit belugas as well as human users of Cook Inlet. For foraging or reproductive activities.
example, NOAA Fisheries has recommended a seasonal
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 9Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
Although we have a good under-
standing of areas important to Cook
Inlet belugas in the summer, we
know little about their winter habits.
In an attempt to better document
beluga distribution and habitat
during non-summer months, we
have partnered with the Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
to implement winter aerial surveys
from 2018 to 2021.
As described in the previous action
item, we have also partnered with
BOEM to acoustically monitor river
mouths in Cook Inlet that we believe
are important foraging locations.
Resources:
Funding: We cannot determine the
direct costs of measures to protect
habitats that support foraging or
Credit: Hollis Europe and Jacob Barbaro, NOAA Fisheries, NMFS Permit #20465
reproduction of Cook Inlet belugas
until we identify the areas and time
of year when habitat protection is most needed. Indirect
costs include funding for studies that help us under-
stand the areas important to Cook Inlet belugas in the
In an attempt to better document beluga summer and winter months. The winter aerial survey
distribution and habitat during non- project cost $368,000 and was jointly funded by BOEM
and NOAA Fisheries.
summer months, we have partnered with
Opportunities for Partners:
the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
(BOEM) to implement winter aerial surveys We encourage the Federal Highway Administration, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Defense,
from 2018 to 2021. and U.S. Department of Agriculture to use their authori-
ties, including section 7(a)(1) of the ESA, to carry out
programs for the conservation of endangered Cook Inlet
beluga whales.
Partners: BOEM, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
We encourage entities across governmental agencies
industry, local governments, State of Alaska
and the private sector to assess and develop effective
Current Status: We have an incomplete understanding habitat protection measures. The development of mea-
of which habitat areas in Cook Inlet contribute most to sures to protect habitats crucial for successful foraging
successful foraging and reproduction of beluga whales, and reproduction should consider habitats used directly
but NOAA Fisheries and partners have documented the by belugas as well as habitats that benefit belugas indi-
importance of some such areas and we have taken steps rectly. For example, a particular salmon-rearing habitat
to reduce threats in those habitats. For example, the up-river may be an important feature that, without
importance of the Susitna River Delta region to Cook protection, could be degraded or destroyed, resulting
Inlet belugas for both foraging and reproduction has led in detrimental impacts to belugas’ foraging success. In
to this sensitive area receiving special consideration such a case, protection of these areas would benefit the
and protection during ESA section 7 consultations. recovery of belugas.
Currently protections are only implemented for the
Susitna River Delta through permit conditions for select
activities.
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 10Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
Beginning in 2017, the
lab began using small,
unmanned aircraft to
collect very detailed
aerial imagery of belugas
to estimate annual calf
production and add to the
existing photo-ID catalog
that the Cook Inlet Beluga
Whale Photo-ID Project
pioneered and maintains.
Credit: Paul Wade, NOAA Fisheries
Gain a Better Understanding of Population Characteristics of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales
to Ensure Effective Management Actions Result in Recovery
Description and Background: Population monitoring and benign on many marine mammal species. A biopsy
is vital to understanding the status of the species, the program begun in 2016 is closely integrated with the
effects of threats, and the effectiveness of management photo-identification study to link results from biopsied
and recovery actions. Comprehensive aerial surveys whales to existing data about individuals in this small
of Cook Inlet beluga whales began in 1993 and con- population.
tribute to a long-term dataset of population abundance
Expected Benefits to the Species: The aerial surveys
and distribution to determine population trends over
allow us to track the beluga abundance and distribu-
time. A citizen science systematic shoreside monitoring
tion, informing population dynamic models that are
network began in 2019 and monitors distribution
critical to the management of the species. These sur-
and behavior of belugas in the spring and fall. Photo-
veys are also critical for determining whether progress
identification surveys of Cook Inlet belugas began in
is being made toward some of the recovery criteria for
2005 and provide information about individual animals’
the species. Long-term photo-identification studies
movements, social organization, and basic life history
provide a non-invasive method to track individual
parameters that cannot be obtained via aerial surveys.
whales’ life history characteristics (e.g., survival,
Adding to the existing photo-identification catalog, we
calving rates, maternal investment to calves, movement
have begun using small, unmanned aircraft to collect
patterns, health and injury status, and social structure)
detailed aerial imagery of belugas to measure indi-
and extrapolate those individual parameters to the
vidual whales, identify young-of-the-year, and estimate
population. These data improve population models; can
annual calf production. Continuation of these long-term
provide insights regarding the population’s abundance,
studies is necessary to understand several population
social structure, and distribution; and have proven
characteristics; however, additional data are needed
valuable for the management of the species. Biopsy sur-
regarding health indicators from gene expression or
veys of Cook Inlet belugas can help us understand the
skin microbiomes, contaminant loads, reproductive
population’s sex ratio and how survival and reproduc-
status, and stress levels of beluga whales. These indi-
tive success relate to environmental and anthropogenic
vidual characteristics can be monitored using skin and
factors. Biopsy data will also help to refine population
blubber biopsies. Epigenetic methods are also being
models to project the effectiveness of recovery efforts.
used to provide estimates of the ages of whales from
biopsy samples. Biopsy sampling has been effective
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 11Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
Source: Partners: U.S. Department of Defense–
Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson;
Recovery Plan for the Cook Inlet
Alaska Department of Fish and Game;
Beluga Whale:
In 2017 in a BOEM; Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo
ID Project; Alaska Beluga Monitoring
• recovery criteria V.C.1.a, , and V.C.2.a partnership with Partnership.
(pg. 118,121)
multiple stakeholders
• recovery actions VI.A.1, VI.A.4, Current Status: NOAA Fisheries’
VI.A.5, and VI.A.6 (pg. 126 - 128) (federal and state Marine Mammal Laboratory began
Location: Aerial surveys cover the agencies, local and conducting annual aerial surveys of
Cook Inlet belugas in 1993; since 2012,
majority of Cook Inlet, with emphasis national organizations, the aerial surveys are conducted bien-
in upper Cook Inlet and the coastlines.
The photo-identification program
industry as well as nially in even-numbered years. Cook
focuses on areas where belugas are individuals), we began Inlet beluga whale photo-identification
studies began in 2005 and have main-
known to congregate, especially in an annual day-long tained some level of effort (depending
upper Cook Inlet and near the Kenai
River delta. Collection of biopsies event entitled Belugas on funding) each year since. We hope to
has been most successful in areas of Count! continue this effort for the foreseeable
upper Cook Inlet where belugas are future. Beginning in 2017, the lab began
predictably present in larger numbers. using small, unmanned aircraft to
Citizen science monitoring efforts are collect very detailed aerial imagery of
concentrated in the Kenai River and belugas to estimate annual calf produc-
Turnagain and Knik Arms. tion and add to the existing photo-ID
Credit: Verena Gill, NOAA Fisheries
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 12Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
catalog that the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID and several stakeholder groups offers opportunities
Project pioneered and maintains. NOAA Fisheries has for volunteer citizen scientists to contribute to beluga
expanded sampling to investigate the use of these monitoring efforts in Cook Inlet. The partnership trains
photos for a future photo-ID mark-recapture abun- volunteers to support monitoring efforts and coordi-
dance estimate. nates shore-based beluga monitoring
activities at various sites throughout
Since 2016, we have collected data on
Cook Inlet to collect data on beluga
individual whales by obtaining biopsy
distribution and habitat. The data
samples from Cook Inlet belugas to In 2019, the Alaska collected are shared with researchers
provide data on genotypes to identify
individuals, maternal/paternal relation-
Beluga Monitoring to inform ongoing marine mammal
ships, the age of whales using epigenetic Partnership was research and management activi-
ties and will be incorporated into our
methods, health indicators from gene formed. This Beluga Sightings Databases.
expression and skin microbiomes, preg-
nant females and sexually mature males, collaboration between Resources:
hormone stress levels, contaminant NOAA Fisheries and Funding: NOAA Fisheries Marine
loads, and other important parameters. several stakeholder Mammal Laboratory conducts aerial
The Alaska Department of Fish and groups offers abundance surveys every other year at
Game is close to completing an indi- a cost of approximately $300,000 per
vidual-based population model that we opportunities for survey. A comprehensive photo-iden-
anticipate will strengthen our estimate volunteer citizen tification study costs at least $250,000
of Cook Inlet beluga whale reproduc- scientists to contribute per year. Biopsy costs depend upon
tion and survival rates. The model will the level of field effort, the number of
include data from the Cook Inlet Beluga to beluga monitoring samples collected, and the types of
Whale Photo-ID Project, necropsies from efforts in Cook Inlet. tests run on the samples. Typically the
beach-cast carcasses, and aerial surveys, biopsy program costs around $175,000
and comparisons to genetics from the annually. The unmanned aircraft
Bristol Bay population of beluga whales. aerial imagery project costs around
$125,000 annually; additional vari-
In 2017 in a partnership with multiple
able costs occur for analysis, including
stakeholders (federal and state agen-
measuring photographs and matching
cies, local and national organizations,
identification photographs. The Alaska
industry as well as individuals), we
Department of Fish and Game Cook
began an annual day-long event entitled
Inlet beluga whale vital rates project
Belugas Count! This celebration brings
cost about $140,000 per year for 3
together members of the public to focus
years. Since 2019 NOAA Fisheries has
on the Cook Inlet beluga whale, fostering
annually funded $44,000 a year to
local pride, awareness, and stewardship.
coordinate citizen science monitoring.
The public is invited to help spot and
count belugas at 15 staffed, shore-based Opportunities for Partners:
viewing stations throughout Cook Inlet
We encourage additional partners
in the morning and then attend a fes-
to assist with expanding the extent
tival in the afternoon featuring beluga-
of the population monitoring efforts
related presentations and activities. This
to ensure a more comprehensive
event not only provides ecosystem infor-
program. These efforts will require
mation on belugas on one day but also
cooperation of numerous entities to be
has promoted citizens calling in beluga
successful; they need not be initiated or
sightings and strandings throughout
led by NOAA Fisheries but they should
the year, helping us better understand
be developed in collaboration with us
population distribution.
and other partners.
In 2019, the Alaska Beluga Monitoring
Partnership was formed. This col- Credit: Hollis Europe and Jacob Barbaro,
laboration between NOAA Fisheries NOAA Fisheries, NMFS Permit #20465
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 13Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
Ensure Healthy and Plentiful Prey are Available
Credit: Georgia Aquarium
Description and Background: A primary uncertainty content, contaminants, stable isotopes, and fatty acids).
in trying to understand the failure of the Cook Inlet In addition to understanding prey availability, we need
beluga population to recover is whether the quantity or to better understand the energetic/metabolic require-
quality of available prey is limiting recovery through ments of Cook Inlet belugas, which likely vary by sex
constraints to reproduction or survival. Because not all and life stage. The information regarding belugas’ ener-
prey species contribute equally to Cook Inlet belugas’ getic requirements needs to be linked to information
diet, and the nutritional characteristics of a given prey about prey availability to ensure adequate numbers of
species vary seasonally, more research is needed on healthy prey are available to Cook Inlet beluga whales.
the quantity, quality, and distribution of prey available Obtaining information about existing prey availability
in Cook Inlet beluga habitat and how these character- and quality will clarify whether new management
istics vary spatially and seasonally. Although some actions are needed (and if so, what type) to ensure prey
information is available on the upstream spawning are sufficient to support recovery of Cook Inlet belugas.
escapement of some beluga prey species in select Cook
Expected Benefits to the Species: Survival and
Inlet tributaries, this does not provide a clear under-
recovery of Cook Inlet beluga whales depend on an
standing of the prey available in the marine/estuarine
adequate quantity, quality, and accessibility of prey
areas, particularly in upper Cook Inlet where belugas
resources. At this time, there is only limited informa-
congregate. There is also a lack of information on prey
tion on the characteristics of potential prey in Cook
available from late fall to early spring, and on the
Inlet beluga habitat, and available data are largely from
quality of Cook Inlet beluga prey resources (e.g., energy
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 14Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
the summer season. content, contaminants, stable isotopes, and fatty acids)
It is imperative that because a large quantity of poor-quality prey may have
information on avail- little utility to Cook Inlet belugas relative to high-
Partnering with staff able prey resources quality prey. Increased information would allow mitiga-
from Joint Base throughout the year tion efforts to focus on aspects most likely to promote
be collected and Cook Inlet beluga recovery. To improve assessments
Elmendorf-Richardson monitored to deter- of relationships between Cook Inlet belugas and their
and the NOAA mine which, if any, prey, standardized surveys are needed to determine the
Northwest Fisheries prey resources may spatial and seasonal distribution of beluga prey, espe-
be limiting Cook Inlet cially in upper Cook Inlet. Data on levels and types of
Science Center, we beluga recovery and, fatty acids and stable isotopes among predator and prey
collected fish and water if prey is a limitation, organisms can be used to better understand seasonal
samples in 2017 from then to clarify what
types of mitigation
trophic linkages (i.e., the relationship between potential
predators and potential prey species at different times
four locations in upper measures have the of the year). This information is an important compo-
Cook Inlet to analyze greatest likelihood of nent of the data needed to understand Cook Inlet beluga
facilitating recovery. foraging patterns, and whether availability of quality
for contaminants of It is critical that prey is limiting their recovery.
emerging concern emphasis be placed
Source:
on determining prey
quality (e.g., energetic Recovery Plan for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale:
• recovery criteria V.C.1.b.A.1, V.C.1.b.A.2, V.C.1.b.D.1,
V.C.2.b.A.1, and V.C.2.b.D.1 (pg. 119 -122)
• recovery actions VI.A.13, VI.A.17, VI.A.19, VI.A.20,
VI.A.21, and VI.A.22 (pg. 134, 135, 137, 138 )
Location: Examinations of prey are most necessary
in areas where the Cook Inlet belugas are most often
found throughout the year—coastal areas and associ-
ated rivers, streams, and smaller tributaries of mid and
upper Cook Inlet.
Partners: Alaska Department of Fish and Game; Cook
Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council; Department
of Defense–Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson; Georgia
Aquarium; University of California Santa Cruz; Cook
Inlet sport and commercial fisheries associations; North
Pacific Fishery Management Council.
Current Status: In 2018 we partnered with the Georgia
Aquarium and University of California Santa Cruz
for a study to determine the basic energetic require-
ments and metabolic needs of belugas. Data on oxygen
consumption of resting and diving whales housed at
Georgia Aquarium was correlated with their overall
body condition and daily caloric intake. This will allow
metabolic demands of the whales to be matched to
potential prey resource needs and applied to the wild
Cook Inlet beluga population. More research is planned
with these partners to account for marked variations
in energetic demands that likely occur with seasonal
changes in temperature and body condition, or the
reproductive status of the animals. The information
Credit: Chris Garner, JBER
gathered will be used in a Population Consequences of
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 15Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025
Credit: Paul Hillman, NOAA Fisheries, NMFS Permit #20465
Disturbance model being developed by NOAA Fisheries Opportunities for Partners:
to assess the impact various sources of disturbance
We encourage additional partners to expand research
may potentially have on beluga physiology.
on Cook Inlet beluga prey quantity and quality. We
We also initiated a study to assess the health of beluga especially look to the State of Alaska to provide sport,
prey in Cook Inlet, with emphasis on resident fish. personal use, and commercial fisheries data and fish
Partnering with staff from Joint Base Elmendorf- abundance estimates for prey availability and limita-
Richardson and the NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science tion assessments. Effective implementation of this
Center, we collected fish and water samples in 2017 action will require cooperation of numerous entities to
from four locations in upper Cook Inlet to analyze for assess and link the different components of this action
contaminants of emerging concern (such as pharma- in light of beluga recovery. While these actions do not
ceuticals and personal care products). The results of need to be initiated or led by NOAA Fisheries, they
this study are currently being evaluated. should be developed in collaboration with us and other
partners.
Resources:
Funding: A comprehensive effort to assess the avail-
ability of various beluga prey may cost approximately
$300,000 annually. We have funded $95,000 for the
energetic and metabolic project and it is projected to References
cost approximately $250,000 to complete the second NMFS 2016. Recovery Plan for the Cook Inlet Beluga
phase. These costs do not account for the efforts Whale (Delphinapterus leucas). National Marine
involved in linking the information about prey avail- Fisheries Service, Alaska Regional Office, Protected
ability and quality to beluga energetic requirements. Resources Division, Juneau, AK. https://www.fish-
We allocated $85,000 to assess contaminants in beluga eries.noaa.gov/resource/document/recovery-plan-
prey and water samples collected in Upper Cook Inlet. cook-inlet-beluga-whale-delphinapterus-leucas
U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 16U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Gina M. Raimondo
Deputy Under Secretary for
Operations Performing the duties of
Under Secretary of Commerce for
Oceans and Atmosphere
Benjamin Friedman
Acting Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries
Paul Doremus
MARCH 2021
www.fisheries.noaa.gov
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
National Marine
Fisheries Service
1315 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910
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