Protecting Beluga Whales

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and chevron (formerly Unocal) are collaborating on a five-year research and conservation project in Alaska that will lead to better understanding of Cook Inlet beluga whales and help assure their healthy, viable population.

The Cook Inlet beluga population has severely declined in recent years. While federal biologists attribute this to over hunting, researchers agree that little baseline data exists on beluga whales in general, and even less on the Cook Inlet beluga. The project will study the beluga's life cycle, annual and seasonal migration patterns, habitat needs, and reproductive capacity, among other issues.

The first phase of the project involves aerial surveys, radio and satellite tracking, and use of anecdotal observers (mainly fishermen and platform operators) to count and monitor belugas in the Cook Inlet. As population variables are identified, conservation options and recommendations will be developed to facilitate the recovery of these mammals and preserve their habitat.