Cumberland Sound Beluga

Central and Arctic Stock Status Report E5-32(2002)

Baffin Island (Nunavut)

Clearwater Fiord

Pangnirtung Nettilling Fiord Cumberland Sound Beluga C Presumed winter range um be Approximate summer rla range nd S ou H nd Background al l P en in Historically, belugas in Cumberland Sound were su la hunted both commercially and for subsistence. In 1990, the Southeast Baffin – Cumberland Sound beluga population was designated as Fig. 1. Distribution of Cumberland Sound “Endangered” by the Canadian Committee on belugas during summer and winter the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada months. (COSEWIC) following declines in beluga numbers estimated from aerial surveys data. Summary Until recently, Cumberland Sound belugas were thought to belong to a Southeast Baffin Island • Recent data on movements obtained population that was hunted by the communities from tagged whales suggest that of Iqaluit and Kimmirut as well as by belugas reside in Cumberland Sound Pangnirtung. Growth measurements, genetic year-round. and contaminants profiles, and satellite tracking data, collected since the late 1980s, have • Growth measurements and genetic confirmed that most belugas hunted in and contaminant profiles, collected Cumberland Sound are distinct from those since the 1980s, have confirmed that hunted near Iqaluit and Kimmirut. Local hunters, most belugas hunted in Cumberland however, report that there are different types of Sound are distinct from those hunted belugas hunted in Cumberland Sound. near Iqaluit and Kimmirut. Local The community of Pangnirtung hunts hunters report there are two or three Cumberland Sound belugas under a quota different types of belugas hunted in system. The hunt is co-managed by the Nunavut Cumberland Sound. Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) and • Between 1992 and 2001, hunters Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Hunting regulations are implemented by DFO under the landed an average of 36.5 belugas Fisheries Act and the Marine Mammal each year. Struck-and-lost rates Regulations. A quota of 35 belugas has been in were not reported. During the same force for this population since 1991. As of the period, belugas were also taken 2002/03 hunting season, the quota has been occasionally during ice entrapments. increased to 41 as part of a community-based management system. This RAP is being done in • Aerial surveys, conducted in 1999, support of this management requirement. produced a population estimate of 1547 belugas (95% confidence limits: 1187-1970). Local knowledge and comparison of the 1999 estimate

October 2002

Central and Arctic Cumberland Sound Beluga to earlier estimates both suggest the hunters report that females may give population is increasing in size and birth annually (Kilabuk 1998). The recovering from historic depletion by population growth rate is not known commercial whaling. exactly for this population. • The DFO and the NWMB have authorized an increase in quota from The oldest female and male sampled 35 to 41 belugas, starting in 2002, as from the catch in Cumberland Sound to part of a community-based date are 26 and 24 years respectively management system. (R. Stewart, unpublished data). In many stocks, belugas live to be 35-40 years of Species Biology age or older (Smith 1999). A 49-year-old female and a 57-year-old animal were The beluga or white whale reported from the Eastern Beaufort Sea (Delphinapterus leucas) (qilaluga in stock (Harwood et al. 2000). Average Inuktitut) is a toothed (Odontocete) annual survival of beluga is reported to whale characterised by a blunt head, range from 90.6% per year for a hunted slight beak, fat, stocky body and lack of stock (Burns and Seaman 1985) to 97% a dorsal fin. Newborn calves are light to per year for a stock that is not hunted dark-mottled grey in colour. Juveniles (Béland et al. 1988). Sources of natural gradually lighten in colour as they age mortality include polar bears (Smith until they become almost pure white 1985, Lowry et al. 1987, Smith and between seven and nine years of age. Sjare 1990), killer whales (Byers and Belugas are usually found in arctic and Roberts 1995), ice entrapments (Porsild subarctic waters and vary 1918, Freeman 1968) and, possibly, geographically in size and weight disease (O. Nielsen, personal (Sergeant and Brodie 1969). In communication). Cumberland Sound, adult females and males reach mean lengths of 362 cm Belugas occupy mostly the western side (11.9 ft) and 428 cm (14.0 ft) of the Cumberland Sound in spring and respectively (Brodie 1971) and weigh early autumn (Fig. 1). In summer, they from 800 to 1000 kg (1750-2200 lbs). are found mainly in Clearwater Fiord Females typically reach sexual maturity and adjacent bays where they are at about 5 (range: 4-7) years of age reported to feed on a variety of fish and (Brodie 1971; Heide-Jørgensen and invertebrate species (Brodie 1970). Teilmann 1994). Males typically reach Based on recent results obtained from maturity at 6-8 years of age (Brodie satellite-tagging studies, belugas spend 1971; Heide-Jørgensen and Teilmann most of their time in the centre of the 1994). Sound in late autumn, then move to the eastern side near the mouth of the In Cumberland Sound, the peak in Sound in early winter. During the late breeding appears to occur in May with autumn and early winter belugas dive to calves being born in late July or early depths of 300 m or more in the middle of August after a gestation period of about Cumberland Sound, likely to feed on 14.5 months (Brodie 1971; Kilabuk deep-water species such as Greenland 1998). Calves nurse for up to two years. halibut, also known as turbot, The calving interval is estimated to be (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) (P. one calf born every three years on Richard, unpublished data). Local average (Brodie 1971) although local hunters also report that belugas at the

Central and Arctic Cumberland Sound Beluga floe-edge in spring prey mainly on Arctic struck and lost and another 14 belugas cod (Boreogadus sp.) and turbot under were wounded but escaped (DFO Iqaluit the ice (Kilabuk 1998). Area Office, unpublished data). It is not known whether wounded animals live or The Hunt die as a result of their injuries. If struck- and-lost and wounded-and-escaped Year Quota Catch rates are similar for the Cumberland Sound hunt, then on average between 1992 35 35 41 (36.5 × 1.13 = 41) and 46 belugas 1993 35 15 (36.5 × 1.27 = 46) actually have died 1994 35 35 from the hunt each year. Despite that, 1995 35 31 the population indices indicate a growth 1996 35 41 of the population in the last decade. 1997 35 47 1998 35 35 Resource User Perspective 1999 35 50 2000 35 37 2001 35 39 The Inuit of the southeast Baffin region have long depended on the hunt of Table 1. Number of belugas struck and landed belugas in Cumberland Sound for their by Pangnirtung hunters between 1992 survival and culture. During the and 2001 (hunt statistics provided by DFO Iqaluit Area Office). commercial whaling period, large numbers of belugas were killed. Hunters see variation in the numbers of belugas The annual quota for belugas in from year to year but they are seeing Cumberland Sound was 35 whales more belugas today than they did in the between 1992 and 2001, and was recent past. Predation by killer whales increased to 41 whales in 2002. As a and disturbance caused by noise from condition of increasing the quota, the numerous motorised boats and community is collecting information on snowmobiles are the primary concerns struck and loss rates and landings. of Pangnirtung hunters for the welfare of Hunters hunt belugas mostly in summer belugas in Cumberland Sound. and avoid taking calves and females Restoring some order, traditional laws with calves. Total landings between and practices in the hunting of belugas 1992 and 2001 fluctuated between 15 and holding community consultations to and 50, averaging 36-37 belugas per make the public more aware of the year (Table 1). Over the same period, problems were two recommendations additional belugas were hunted presented in a recent report on Inuit opportunistically when they became traditional knowledge (Kilabuk 1998). trapped by ice. In addition to belugas Other recommendations presented in that are struck and landed, some whales the report included making traditional are killed but lost. While struck-and-lost knowledge part of the school curriculum, rates have not yet been recorded for the organising community hunts better and Cumberland Sound hunt, data were improving the DFO Whale Sampling collected for other southeastern Baffin Program. Many people that reside in the hunts during 1999-2001. For every 100 vicinity of Cumberland Sound live off the beluga struck and landed by Iqaluit and land and, for that reason, Cumberland Kimmirut hunters, another 13 were Sound has the most outpost camps in

Central and Arctic Cumberland Sound Beluga the Region. There may be some interest and just starting to shed. Hunters report in allocating whales for the outpost these animals are noticeably larger and camps separate from the community better than the smaller ones at avoiding quota. hunters.

Resource Status During the summer, belugas are also seen in Netilling Fiord and southward in Stock Delineation the bays and coastal waters of the

western side of Cumberland Sound. Cumberland Sound belugas, tracked Like the early floe-edge whales, these with satellite-linked tags, do not appear belugas are smaller in size and thinner to range beyond Cumberland Sound. than the Clearwater whales. It is not Genetic and contaminant profiles clear whether these western whales are suggest that belugas, caught in the the same animals as the small whales waters off southeast Baffin Island since seen at the floe edge but the maktaq the late 1980s, belong to a different tastes the same. In the last three years, population than belugas caught in Iqaluit large numbers of small whales have and Kimmirut (Brown Gladden et al. been seen in summer. These whales 1997; de March et al. 2002, in press; B. have been observed only, not de March, unpublished data). Thus, measured, so it is difficult to compare Cumberland Sound belugas are thought their size with those seen at the floe to belong to a single, distinct population. edge. However, according to traditional knowledge, there may be a few different Genetic analyses has revealed there beluga groups or populations in may be differences in haplotype Cumberland Sound and they can be frequencies in the beluga samples taken distinguished by their appearance, size, in Clearwater Fiord in the early 1980s health and behaviour (Kilabuk 1998). compared with the samples taken in the

1990s outside Clearwater Fiord (de Two different groups can be March et al. 2002, in press). It is distinguished by size. There is no possible that the belugas hunted in information on ages of these whales. Clearwater Fiord in the 1980s belong to Local hunters report that groups of small a different stock than those hunted belugas appear first at the floe-edge in outside the Fiord. Cumberland Sound in April. They are seen when hunters are hunting Stock Size narwhals. They are small in size, somewhat skinny and adults are white in Two of three photographic surveys of colour. The texture of their blubber or Clearwater Fiord in 1999 produced maktaq is soft. Although they are counts of 720 and 777 whales visible at relatively easy to hunt, because they or near the water surface. A total of 64 come close to the ice edge and remain belugas were counted on-strip and off- underwater for short periods, usually strip during the surveys over the only a few are taken. Herds of larger northern (excluding Clearwater Fiord) belugas arrive at the floe edge in late and western sectors of Cumberland April and May and eventually move to Sound in 1999. Using dive data Clearwater Fiord for the summer. In obtained from belugas tagged and spring, their outer skin layer is yellow tracked in Cumberland Sound in 1998

Central and Arctic Cumberland Sound Beluga and 1999, the 1999 survey data were (Brodie et al. 1981; Richard and Orr corrected for diving animals missed 1986). A surface index counts only during the surveys to produce a whales seen at or near the surface of population estimate of 1547 belugas the water and does not include animals (Fig. 2; 95% confidence limits: 1187- diving below the surface that cannot be 1970) (P. Richard, unpublished data). If seen by observers. Aerial surveys the western sector whales represent a conducted over Clearwater Fiord in the second stock, the total estimate for the summer of 1985 and 1986 produced animals summering in Clearwater Fiord surface indices of 398 and 442, and adjacent waters would then be respectively, suggesting no change in reduced by about 40 animals. beluga numbers since 1980 (Richard 1991).

Photographic surveys of Clearwater Fiord and a systematic visual strip transect survey of northern and western Cumberland Sound were conducted in August 1990 and 1999. The three photographic surveys of Clearwater Fiord in 1990 produced counts of between 454 and 497 belugas visible at or near the water surface while the 1999 surveys produced counts of 720 and Fig. 2. Distribution of estimated population sizes. 777 belugas (P. Richard, unpublished The higher the shaded area extends data). Comparison of the 1991 and 1999 above the x-axis (i.e., the horizontal line), survey results suggest that the the more probable that the estimated population size is close to the actual Cumberland Sound population is population size. Conversely, the lower increasing in size despite an average the shaded area extends above the x- annual landed catch of 36-37 belugas axis, the less probable the estimated per year. Hunters also report an population estimate is correct. All increase in population size over the past estimated population sizes on the x- axis are possible, but not all are probable. decade.

Stock trend Sustainable Hunting Rate

For toothed whales, the maximum rate Prior to 1923, belugas in Cumberland of increase (the rate of population Sound were estimated to number more increase that could be achieved in the than 5000 animals (Mitchell and Reeves absence of crowding and shortage of 1981). As a result of large commercial resources; Caughley 1977) is thought to catches, the population declined be between 2% and 6% of the total substantially between the 1920s and population (Reilly and Barlow 1986, 1960s. Commercial hunting ended in Wade 1998). Based on surface counts, 1960 although subsistence hunts it appears the numbers of belugas in continued. Aerial surveys, conducted in Clearwater Fiord increased by 46% fall 1979 and summer 1980, produced a between 1990 and 1999, or 5% per surface index of only 400-600 belugas in year, despite experiencing an annual the northern end of Cumberland Sound landed catch of 15-50 animals per year.

Central and Arctic Cumberland Sound Beluga To determine the sustainable hunting unknown. Hunters have reported seeing level, we used the survey estimate a few different groups of belugas in corrected for diving animals that are not Cumberland Sound. It is not known seen during the surveys. The corrected whether these animals are part of the survey estimate for the 1999 survey of same stock or represent different Cumberland Sound belugas is 1547 stocks. whales (standard deviation: 240). A total harvest of 41 whales per year from Outlook this population is being proposed by the Recent survey results and local Inuit NWMB. Risk modelling suggests that knowledge suggest that the population this level of hunting is not likely to cause is increasing in size and recovering from the population to decline. depletion by commercial whaling. The population modelling and risk analysis Sources of Uncertainty suggest that the proposed quota of 41 belugas is unlikely to cause the This population has been the subject of population to decline, assuming that no a number of scientific studies since the additional unexpected mortality occurs. 1970s including surveys to estimate stock size and investigations of genetic, contaminant, and growth profiles to Management Considerations assess stock relationships between Cumberland Sound belugas and other Since 1991, the Pangnirtung Hunters southeastern Baffin belugas. Traditional and Trappers Association (HTA) has and local Inuit knowledge of the worked with the NWMB and DFO to co- population has also been collected and manage Cumberland Sound beluga. published (Kilabuk 1998). Nevertheless, The subsistence hunting level from 1991 several sources of uncertainty remain. to 1999 has allowed the stock to No information is available on current increase in size. The NWMB is now reproductive rates and age-specific moving toward community-based survivorship. Winter distribution of the management of the stock. An increase population has not yet been confirmed. in harvest from 35 to 41 belugas per The reported catch does not account for year has been proposed by the HTA animals that are struck and lost or those and approved by the NWMB and DFO. that are wounded but escape. Thus the A management plan for Cumberland total number of animals killed is not Sound beluga is being developed. known precisely. Other rates of mortality resulting from predation, ice To meet anticipated requirements under entrapments (those not observed by Species at Risk legislation, a Recovery hunters) and other natural causes are Strategy is being developed. It is not known. The impact of environmental anticipated that COSEWIC will reassess variables such as changes in climate the status of the population in the next and ice conditions on belugas, their prey two to three years. and predators are uncertain. The potential impacts on belugas of Other Considerations increases in vessel traffic in and near Cumberland Sound that may occur as a Contaminants result of commercial fishing, industrial development or whale-watching are also

Central and Arctic Cumberland Sound Beluga Arctic marine predators, such as beluga, presently no understanding of whether that are near the top of the Arctic marine Brucella poses a risk to belugas. food chain can accumulate relatively high levels of persistent organochlorine Commercial Fisheries contaminants and heavy metals. Southeast Baffin Island belugas have The current winter long-line fishery for some of the highest levels of Greenland halibut (turbot) in organochlorines of any reported to date Cumberland Sound does not appear to in the Canadian Arctic but these levels pose a problem for belugas. With the are a small fraction of those measured allocation of the entire Canadian share in St. Lawrence belugas. of the 0A Greenland halibut fishery to Organochlorine levels in Cumberland Nunavut, increased ship traffic in Sound belugas are approximately two- Cumberland Sound has the potential to thirds the levels found in belugas taken disturb belugas, especially if existing by Kimmirut or Iqaluit hunters (B. de facilities are expanded. If gill nets were March, unpublished data). There is no to be proposed for the turbot fishery, the evidence that contaminants are affecting potential for entanglement of belugas the health of Cumberland Sound should be carefully considered. There is belugas. Since the early 1980s, also potential competition for prey concentrations of some of the major species eaten by belugas. persistent organic pollutants have stabilised or declined while new types of Noise and Disturbance contaminants, now in current use, are low but have increased (G. Stern, Manmade sources of noise include unpublished data). Mercury and other outboard motors, large ships, heavy metals have been found in beluga snowmobiles and aircraft. Noise from samples from Cumberland Sound motorized boats is considered to be the (Wagemann et al. 1996; G. Stern, main factor causing a decline in the unpublished data) but there is no numbers of whales seen at outpost evidence they are affecting the health of camps and in Cumberland Sound the whales. (Kilabuk 1998). Kilabuk (1998) suggests that disturbance has caused a Disease decline in oiliness of the blubber because whales are using more energy Die-offs of toothed whales, in other parts to avoid boats. Belugas normally lose of the world, have been directly caused fat when they come into Cumberland by influenza A (Hinshaw et al. 1984) and Sound but this may not be related to distemper viruses (Lipscomb et al. noise. Belugas also react to all noise at 1994). No whales sampled from the the floe edge including footsteps and Pangnirtung catch between 1984 and snowmobiles and to low-flying aircraft. 1997 tested positive for the presence of Belugas can react to the noise of large antibodies to influenza A (Nielsen et al. ships at distances of up to 20 or 30 km 2001a). A small percentage of the (12 to 18 miles) (Cosens and Dueck belugas caught by Pangnirtung hunters 1993). In recent years, hunters have between 1986 and 1994 tested positive also reported increased submarine for antibodies to Brucella bacteria traffic in Cumberland Sound and local (Nielsen et al. 2001b). There is changes in beluga distribution in response to submarines.

Central and Arctic Cumberland Sound Beluga Brodie, P.F. 1971. A reconsideration of Killer Whales aspects of growth, reproduction, and behaviour of the white whale Hunters have noted an increase in the (Delphinapterus leucas), with numbers of killer whales using reference to the Cumberland Sound, Cumberland Sound in the last few Baffin Island, population. Journal of years. A group of 10 was seen recently the Fisheries Research Board of and hunters have seen evidence of killer Canada 28: 1309-1318. whale attacks on belugas. Increased numbers of killer whales will result in Brodie, P.F., J.L. Parsons, and D.E. higher mortality of belugas. Sergeant. 1981. Present status of the white whale (Delphinapterus leucas) Industrial Development in Cumberland Sound, Baffin Island. Reports of the International Whaling No industrial developments, marine or Commission 31: 579-582. terrestrial, are underway or anticipated in the vicinity of Cumberland Sound. Brown Gladden, J.G., M.M. Ferguson and J.W. Clayton. 1997. Matriarchal genetic population structure of North For more information: American beluga whales Delphinapterus leucas (Cetacea: Contact: Pierre Richard Monodontidae). Molecular Ecology 6: Fisheries and Oceans Canada 1033-1046. 501 University Crescent Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6 Burns, J.J. and G.A. Seaman. 1985. Investigations of belukha whales in Tel: 204-983-5130 coastal waters of western and Fax: 204-984-2403 northern Alaska. II. Biology and E-Mail: ecology. Final report submitted to [email protected] NOAA, Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program, References Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, Béland, P., A. Vézina and D. Martineau. Alaska, USA 99701. 129 p. 1988. Potential for growth of the St. Lawrence (Quebec, Canada) beluga Byers, T. and L.W. Roberts. 1995. Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) Harpoons and ulus: collective wisdom population based on modelling. and traditions of Inuvialuit regarding Journal du Conseil International pour the beluga (qilalugaq) in the l’Exploration de la Mer. 45: 22-32. Mackenzie River estuary. Unpublished report to the Department of Indian and Brodie, P.F. 1970. Life history of the Northern Affairs (Arctic Environmental white whale, Delphinapterus leucas Strategy) and the Fisheries Joint (Pallas) in the waters of Baffin Island, Management Committee, Inuvik. 76 p. Canada. Ph.D. thesis, Department of Caughley, G. 1977. Analysis of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax. vertebrate populations. John Wiley 127 + v p. and Sons, Toronto. 234 p.

Central and Arctic Cumberland Sound Beluga Cosens, S.E. and L.P. Dueck. 1993. Management Board, P.O. Box 1379, Icebreaker noise in Lancaster Sound, Iqaluit, Nunavut. X0A 0H0. 74 p. N.W.T., Canada: implications for marine mammal behaviour. Marine Lipscomb, T.B., F.Y. Schulman, D. Mammal Science 9: 285-300. Moffet, and S. Kennedy. 1994. Morbillivirus disease in Atlantic de March, B.G.E., L.D. Maiers, and M.K. bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops Friesen. 2002 (in press). An overview truncatus) from the 1987-1988 of genetic relationships of Canadian epizootic. Journal of Wildlife Diseases adjacent populations of beluga 30: 567-571. (Delphinapterus leucas) with emphasis on Baffin Bay and Canadian Lowry, L.F., J.J. Burns, and R.R. eastern Arctic populations. NAMMCO Nelson. 1987. Polar bear, Ursus Scientific Publications 5. maritimus, predation on belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, in the Bering Freeman, M.R. 1968. Winter and Chukchi seas. Canadian Field- observations on beluga Naturalist 101: 141-146. (Delphinapterus leucas) in Jones Sound, N.W.T. Canadian Field- Mitchell, E., and R.R. Reeves. 1981. Naturalist 82: 276-286. Catch history and cumulative estimates of initial population size of Harwood, L.A., P. Norton, B. Day, and cetaceans in the eastern Arctic. P. Hall. 2000. The harvest of beluga Reports of the International Whaling whales in Canada’s Western Arctic: Commission 31: 645-682. hunter-based monitoring of the size and composition of the catch. Nielsen, O., A. Clavijo and J.A. Canadian Stock Assessment Boughen. 2001a. Serologic evidence Secretariat Research Document of Influenza A infection in marine 00/141. mammals of Arctic Canada. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 4: 820-825. Heide-Jørgensen, M.P. and J. Teilmann. 1994. Growth, reproduction, age Nielsen, O., R.E.A. Stewart, K. Nielsen, structure and feeding habits of white L. Measures, and P. Duignan. 2001b. whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Serologic survey of Brucella spp. West Greenland waters. Meddelelser Antibodies in some marine mammals om Grønland, Bioscience 39: 195- of North America. Journal of Wildlife 212. Diseases 37: 89-100.

Hinshaw, V.S., W.J. Bean, J.R. Geraci, Porsild, M.O. 1918. On “savsatts” a P. Fiorelli, G. Early, and R.G. crowding of Arctic mammals at holes Webster. 1984. Characterization of in the sea ice. Geographic Review 6: two influenza A viruses from a pilot 215-228. whale. Journal of Virology 58: 655- 656. Reilly, S.B. and J.Barlow. 1986. Rates Kilabuk, P. 1998. A study of Inuit of increase in dolphin population size. knowledge of the southeast Baffin Fishery Bulletin 81: 1-13. beluga. Published by Nunavut Wildlife

Central and Arctic Cumberland Sound Beluga Richard, P.R. 1991. Status of the seals in the Canadian Arctic. The belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, of Science of the Total Environment 186: Southeast Baffin Island, Northwest 41-66. Territories. Canadian Field-Naturalist 105: 206-214. Personal Communications and Richard, P.R. and J.R. Orr. 1986. A Unpublished Data review of the status and harvest of white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) Brigitte de March, Fisheries and Oceans in the Cumberland Sound area, Baffin Canada, 501 University Crescent, Island. Canadian Technical Report of Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 1447. Unpublished data cited in this report iv + 25 p. contained in the following manuscript: B.G.E. de March, G. Stern, and S. Sergeant, D.E. and P.F. Brodie. 1969. Innes. In prep. The combined use of Body size in white whales, organochlorine contaminant profiles Delphinapterus leucas. Journal of the and molecular genetics for stock Fisheries Research Board of Canada discrimination of belugas 26: 2561-2580. (Delphinapterus leucas) hunted in three communities on Southeast Smith, T.G. 1985. Polar bears, Ursus Baffin Island. maritimus, as predators of belugas, Delphinapterus leucas. Canadian DFO Iqaluit Area Office, Box 358, Field-Naturalist 99: 71-75. Iqaluit, Nunavut X0A 0H0.

Smith, T.G. 1999. Parameters for a Ole Nielsen, Fisheries and Oceans precautionary co-management model Canada, 501 University Crescent, of Nunavik beluga whale populations. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6. Unpublished report for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maurice Pierre Richard, Fisheries and Oceans Lamontagne Institute, P.O. Box 1000, Canada, 501 University Crescent, Mont-Joli, Quebec, G5H 3Z4. 52 p + 1 Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6. figure. Gary Stern, Fisheries and Oceans Smith, T.G. and B. Sjare. 1990. Canada, 501 University Crescent, Predation of belugas and narwhals by Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6. polar bears in nearshore areas of the Canadian High Arctic. Arctic 43: 99- Robert Stewart, Fisheries and Oceans 102. Canada, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6. Wade, P.R. 1998. Calculating limits to the allowable human-caused mortality of cetaceans and pinnipeds. Marine Mammal Science 14: 1-37. Wagemann, R., S. Innes, and P.R. Richard. 1996. Overview and regional and temporal differences of heavy metals in Arctic whales and ringed

Central and Arctic Cumberland Sound Beluga This report is available from the:

Stock Assessment Regional Office c/o Susan Cosens Central and Arctic Region 501 University Crescent Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6 Tel: (204) 983-8838 Fax: (204) 984-2403 [email protected] www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas

La version française est disponible à l’adresse ci-dessus.

Correct citation for this publication

DFO Sci. Stock Status Rep. E5- 32(2002).