Beluga Whales in Alaska
Information about Beaufort Sea, Bristol Bay, Cook Inlet, Eastern Bering Sea, and Eastern Chukchi Sea beluga whale stocks
Cook Inlet Beluga Whales
Cook Inlet beluga whales. Zoomed image, extracted from experimental footage taken in August 2011, is not part of video used to aid in abundance estimation. Photo: NOAA Fisheries, NMML, permit 14245.
- Management and Recovery
- Endangered Species Act
- Research
- News Release: NOAA’s annual survey of Cook Inlet belugas finds population at second-lowest level
- Development Projects in Cook Inlet
- Federal Regulations and Notices
- General Information (2009 brochure)
- Proposed Restricted Harvest Area
Bering Sea Beluga Whales (all 5 beluga stocks)
Beluga whales in the Beaufort Sea. Photo: NOAA Fisheries, NMML
Information about Beaufort Sea, Bristol Bay, Cook Inlet, Eastern Bering Sea, and Eastern Chukchi Sea stocks (see map)
- Research:
- Co-Management Agreements
- Stock Assessments
- Permits and Applications for Incidental Take Authorizations
- News Release: NOAA issues science-based measures to protect marine mammals during Shell's proposed oil and gas exploratory programs in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas NEW!
- 77 FR 27322, 05/09/2012. Notice that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization to Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc. to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to offshore exploration drilling on Outer Continental Shelf leases in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska. Effective July 1, 2012, through October 31, 2012.
- 77 FR 27284, 05/09/2012. Notice that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization to Shell Offshore Inc. to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to offshore exploration drilling on Outer Continental Shelf leases in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. Effective July 1, 2012, through October 31, 2012.
- Incidental Harassment Authorization, Shell's Application and NMFS' Environmental Assesment
- 77 FR 11492, February 27, 2012. Notice of availability of the "Draft Environmental Assessment for the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorizations for the Take of Marine Mammals by Harassment Incidental to Conducting Exploratory Drilling Programs in the U.S. Beaufort and Chukchi Seas." Comment period through March 28, 2012.
Additional Information
About Beluga Whales
At birth, beluga whales are dark blue-gray in color, measure 3-5 feet long, and weigh 90-130 lbs. The color gradually lightens, usually turning white by age 5 or 6. Beluga whales grow to an average length of 15 ft. and can weigh more than 3,000 lbs. Generally, males are larger in size than females. Belugas are robust-bodied and have a blubber layer which can be as much as 5 inches thick. They are muscular creatures with a small rounded head, a short beak, and are quite mobile in comparison to other whales. The belugas have a narrow ridge that runs down the rear of their backs, which allows them to swim freely under floating ice. Also, the beluga is the only whale that can bend its neck. This helps them to maneuver easily and catch prey, using their 34 to 40 teeth, not for chewing, but for grabbing and tearing their prey, which is then swallowed whole. Belugas use sound to find their prey. They also use sound to communicate and navigate by producing a variety of clicks, chirps and whistles. More >>>
Contact Information
Barbara Mahoney
Marine mammal strandings, co-management, Cook Inlet beluga whales
(907) 271-3448
Barbara.Mahoney@noaa.gov
Mandy Migura
Cook Inlet beluga whales, marine mammal strandings
(907) 271-1332
Mandy.Migura@noaa.gov
