Action Alert: Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Draft Conservation Plan

Click here to see RDC's Comments

Overview:

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has put forth its Draft Conservation Plan for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale which is available online at: www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/whales/beluga/mmpa/draft/conservationplan032005.pdf

The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) requires the preparation of a conservation plan for any species or stock designated as depleted under the Act. The Cook Inlet stock of beluga whales was designated as depleted on May 3, 2000. According to NMFS, “The goal of the plan will be met when the Cook Inlet stock of beluga whales are no longer considered depleted under the MMPA.”

RDC has been intimately involved in this issue over the years, having successfully intervened on behalf of NMFS to prevent the belugas from being listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The cause of their population decline has been specifically linked to subsistence hunting. The draft conservation plan proposes an increasingly restrictive regulatory regime on Cook Inlet industry and commerce which did not play a role in the beluga’s population decline. NMFS recommends management actions that are not based on science which will have significant impacts on oil & gas exploration and development, vessel traffic, coastal development, municipal wastewater, and projects such as the Anchorage Port expansion and Knik Arm Crossing.

Action Requested:

Please submit comments on the Draft Conservation Plan to:

NMFS Protected Resources Division

222 W. 7th Ave., Suite 43

Anchorage, AK 99513

Or email records.fakr@noaa.gov with the header: Beluga Whale Conservation Plan