Species in the Spotlight—Cook Inlet Beluga

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 • endangered, their populations are declining, and they • are considered a recovery priority #1C (84 FR 18243, Pacific leatherback sea turtle • Southern resident killer whale DPS 4/30/2019). A recovery priority #1C species is one Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon ESU 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 that they need to be bred in captivity; others are facing development, or economic activity. destruction, and because of conflicts with construction, 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 we can’t do this alone. A major part of the Species in the • Cook Inlet beluga whale DPS Spotlightfine-tune initiative our actions is to for expand the maximum partnerships effect. and We moti know- significant unit (ESU) 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, environmental organizations, Alaska Native tribes, and other partners to work toward turning the trend around for effortsresources are for vital species for stabilizing listed under their the populations Endangered and Cook Inlet beluga whales from a declining trajectory preventingSpecies Act theirof 1973 extinction. (ESA) for which immediate, targeted and toward recovery. We appreciate all of our current 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,In its first 5 years, and prioritizingthe 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 initiative Species in the Spotlight 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 [email protected] 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 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.Recovering Threatened and Endangered Species Report 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 Fisheries and our partners to prevent extinction and listed species under our authority. Many of the species promote recovery of this iconic species. weimportant manage and have continued long-standing efforts conservation to support all programs ESA- 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

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- lated subsistence hunting during the 1990s occurred at dredging, renewable energy production, wastewater Efforts/Challengesa level that the population could not sustain. From 1994 discharge,fishing, hunting, military timber activities, harvest, oil andmining, gas development,shipping, 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 calving, and predator avoidance. The Recovery Plan for ceased, the population has not recovered. whales. Unfortunately, almost 20 years after hunting threats experts believe are obstacles to the recovery of Hunting is not the only threat that belugas face. We the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (NMFS 2016) identifies 10 work continuously with regulatory agencies and project we can take to address those threats. proponents to minimize the degree to which develop- this species, and identifies the most important actions 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 plan, and represent actions we and partners can take in is not comprehensive of all potential partners, and we theof the next recovery 5 years actions to promote identified recovery in the of 2016the species. recovery The a specific activity or commitment of resources. This list this plan. welcome partnering with others not identified within partnersContinue identified to Improve below haveUnderstanding indicated their of interestWhy 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 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 toresponse transport times, carcasses 5) accessing to the laboratorylaboratory, space 6) incorpo sufficient- 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 - efforts toward 1) updating and revising the existing Expected Benefits to the Species: tion of and effective responses to beluga strandings Prompt identifica

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- • tity of biological samples collected during responses. 122) The development of improved methods to support recovery criteria V.C.1.b.E.1 and V.C.2.b.E.2 (pg. 120, 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 to conduct timely and thorough necropsies of dead animals can improve our understanding of their cause andElmendorf Game; AlaskaRichardson; SeaLife Cook Center; Inlet AlaskaBeluga VeterinaryWhale Photo- PathologyIdentification Services; Project Alaska Group; Beluga Alaska Monitoring Department of Fish of previously necropsied whales, largely due to the Partnership; the Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding delaysof death, associated which is unknownwith accessing for a significantthe carcasses. number 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. Signs posted in waterfront locations encourage the of beluga carcasses. We have updated and revised the public to report stranded whales. Annual reminders existingthem the stranding tools to conduct response thorough plan to fieldinclude examinations 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 portions of Cook Inlet that are not road accessible. We - have also enhanced service agreements and collabora- media, and printed material for boaters, fishermen, tion with veterinarians and pathologists, and improved and pilots via harbormasters, fishing license distribu general public of the importance of promptly reporting collaboration and coordination with the Alaska tors, or flight control centers) will serve to remind the 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 - belugas faster. tected species observers to report alive and dead Resources: belugasJoint Base as Elmendorf-Richardson,soon as possible. With these and industry improvements pro 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 for air support to respond to stranding reports. for Cook Inlet belugas that have a large ”fan base” that Every year NOAA Fisheries spends $5,000 to $10,000 hasseveral been Facebook active in and reporting Instagram sightings. pages The specifically 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

oil and gas development, and may beefficient a useful mitigation model for measures all develop for- 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

Inlet beluga whales. Anthropogenic activitiesbenefit the in recovery Cook Inlet of arethe notCook 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 - activities such as cargo ship transit. mation about the hearing sensitivity, movements, distri- Improved under- bution,human-caused and habitat sources use of Cooknoise. Inlet Using beluga available whales, infor we Expected Benefits to the Species: 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 minimize incidental taking of beluga whales from noise- management also includes working with partners to producing activities. Better coordination of acoustic understandefforts with andpartners mitigate as part acoustic of this threats. action. Three Effective 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 Kenai River) is necessary to identify areas where the acoustic environment may no longer be suitable for manage the Cook Inlet beluga whales. Ultimately, these 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 environment 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 year-round. conditions or for project planning purposes, but some conducted similar acoustic studies to define baseline 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) model to assess the degree to which Cetacean and Porpoise Detectors (C-PoDs) in lower anthropogenic disturbance, and in CookIn a project Inlet in funded 2021. Theseby BOEM, detectors we will classify also deploy 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: requires a comprehensive understanding of the Cook Location: Noise-producing projects occur throughout Effective implementation of this action 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. provided $350,000 to the C-PoD project with an addi- Partners: tional2021. The$100,000 Bureau from of Ocean NOAA Energy Fisheries. Management To date the has PCoD

U.S. Department of Defense–Joint Base hopefully more resources to be added. 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 Opportunities for Partners: ManagementCurrent Status: (BOEM); We have University reduced of the Alaska. threats posed by industrial noise in the waters within 10 miles of especially important habitat around the Susitna River Delta We encourage the U.S. Department of Defense–Joint by working with the oil and gas industry and other Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska Department of Fish developers to limit their activities in that area during groups collecting acoustic data in Cook Inlet to partner and Game, Port of Alaska, BOEM, industry, and other 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 8 Species 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 feeding or reproduction, factors crucial to recovery. measure targets prime times when belugas congregate Habitat protection measures for belugas have arisen inthe large Susitna numbers River forDelta. foraging This specific and reproduction. habitat protection The primarily through mitigation measures negotiated development of additional measures that outline the

Protection Act incidental take authorizations. These and identify ways to mitigate effects on belugas will mitigationvia ESA section measures 7 consultations have focused and on Marine providing Mammal sea- notthreats only posed help with by specific conservation activities of belugas, in vulnerable but also areas 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, - may result in improved foraging opportunities, and able areas during sensitive times of year for feeding or adopt specific habitat protection measures for vulner chances for successful reproduction. Protecting par- greater predictability for human users of these areas. ticularlyultimately valuable improve habitats individual during whales’ sensitive fitness times and of Toreproduction be effective, would such benefitan effort belugas must include while providing input from a year will increase the opportunities for belugas to feed variety of stakeholders and have a good understanding of areas important to Cook Inlet belugas during each recovery. season of the year. and reproduce successfully, directly benefiting their Source: Expected Benefits to the Species: Protection of habitats vital for foraging or reproduction is crucial for Recovery Plan for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale: 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 Location: Habitats important for Cook Inlet beluga foraging or reproductive activities. example,reproduction. NOAA Establishing Fisheries has specific recommended measures a would seasonal benefit belugas as well as human users of Cook Inlet. For

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 9 Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025

Although we have a good understanding 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

to implement winter aerial surveys fromOcean 2018 Energy to 2021. Management (BOEM) As described in the previous action item, we have also partnered with

mouths in Cook Inlet that we believe areBOEM important to acoustically foraging monitor locations. river 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 understand 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- and NOAA Fisheries. summer months, we have partnered with project cost $368,000 and was jointly funded by BOEM the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Opportunities for Partners: (BOEM) to implement winter aerial surveys from 2018 to 2021. We encourage the Federal Highway Administration, U.S.- Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Defense, programsand U.S. Department for the conservation of Agriculture of endangered to use their Cook authori Inlet belugaties, including whales. section 7(a)(1) of the ESA, to carry out Partners: We encourage entities across governmental agencies industry, local governments, State of Alaska BOEM, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 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 - 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-riverby belugas may as bewell an as important habitats thatfeature benefit that, belugas without indi 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 recovery of belugas. Currently protections are only implemented for the such a case, protection of these areas would benefit the Susitnaand protection River Delta during through ESA section permit 7 conditions consultations. for select activities.

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 10 Species 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 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.photo-identification study to link results from biopsied tribute to a long-term dataset of population abundance The aerial surveys and distribution to determine population trends over Expected Benefits to the Species: 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 is being made toward some of the recovery criteria for 2005 and provide information about individual animals’ the species. Long-term movements,identification social surveys organization, of Cook Inlet and belugas basic life began history in provide a non-invasive method to track individual parameters that cannot be obtained via aerial surveys. whales’ life history characteristicsphoto-identification (e.g., survival, studies calving rates, maternal investment to calves, movement have begun using small, unmanned aircraft to collect patterns, health and injury status, and social structure) detailedAdding to aerial the existing imagery photo-identification of belugas to measure catalog, indi- we 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 models to project the effectiveness of recovery efforts. used to provide estimates of the ages of whales from factors. Biopsy data will also help to refine population biopsyblubber samples. biopsies. Biopsy Epigenetic sampling methods has beenare also effective being

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 11 Species in the Spotlight: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale | PRIORITY ACTIONS: 2021 - 2025

Source: Partners:

Recovery Plan for the Cook Inlet Alaska Department U.S. Department of Fish and of Defense– Game; Beluga Whale: In 2017 in a Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson; • recovery criteria V.C.1.a, , and V.C.2.a ID Project; Alaska Beluga Monitoring (pg. 118,121) partnership with Partnership.BOEM; Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo 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 majority of Cook Inlet, with emphasis national organizations, Cook Inlet belugas in 1993; since 2012, in upper Cook Inlet and the coastlines. the aerial surveys are conducted bien- industry as well as nially in even-numbered years. Cook focuses on areas where belugas are individuals), we began studies began in 2005 and have main- knownThe photo-identification to congregate, especially program in an annual day-long upper Cook Inlet and near the Kenai tainedInlet beluga some whalelevel of photo-identification effort (depending 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 12 Species 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 to inform ongoing marine mammal individuals, maternal/paternal relation- Beluga Monitoring research and management activi- ships, the age of whales using epigenetic Partnership was 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 NOAA Fisheries Marine loads, and other important parameters. Funding: 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 of Cook Inlet beluga whale reproduc- scientists to contribute per year. Biopsy costs depend upon tion and survival rates. The model will tification study costs at least $250,000 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. teststhe level run of on field the effort,samples. the Typically number theof 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, industry as well as individuals), we Department of Fish and Game Cook began an annual day-long event entitled Inletidentification beluga whale photographs. vital rates The project Alaska 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 13 Species 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 escapement of some beluga prey species in select Cook Survival and Inlet tributaries, this does not provide a clear under- areExpected sufficient Benefits to support to the recovery Species: of Cook Inlet belugas. 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 14 Species 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 then to clarify what trophic linkages (i.e., the relationship between potential samples in 2017 from types of mitigation 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 on determining prey Source: 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: in areas where the Cook Inlet belugas are most often found throughoutExaminations the year—coastal of prey are mostareas necessary 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 PacificCurrent Fishery Status: Management In 2018 we partneredCouncil. with the Georgia for a study to determine the basic energetic require- mentsAquarium and andmetabolic University needs of ofCalifornia belugas. SantaData on Cruz 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 15 Species 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,

abundance estimates for prey availability and limita- Richardsonprey in Cook and Inlet, the with NOAA emphasis Northwest on resident Fisheries fish. Science personal use, and commercial fisheries data and fish Partnering with staff from Joint Base Elmendorf- action will require cooperation of numerous entities to from four locations in upper Cook Inlet to analyze for assesstion assessments. and link the Effective different implementation components of thisof this action contaminantsCenter, we collected of emerging fish and concern water samples(such as pharmain 2017 - 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 availability 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 availability and quality to beluga energetic requirements. - We allocated $85,000 to assess contaminants in beluga eries.noaa.gov/resource/document/recovery-plan-Fisheries Service, Alaska Regional Office, Protected cook-inlet-beluga-whale-delphinapterus-leucasResources Division, Juneau, AK. https://www.fish prey and water samples collected in Upper Cook Inlet. U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service 16

U.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

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National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 Credit: Hollis Europe and Jacob Barbaro, NOAA Fisheries, NMFS Permit #20465