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
- Notice of a proposed information collection to collect data for measuring the economic benefits the public receives for providing additional protection, beyond current levels, to the Cook Inlet beluga whale. Comment period through April 9, 2012. NEW!
- 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
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
