Conservation and Recovery of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in the Context of Continued Development Workshop

Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Workshop

Overview

On November 3, 2014, NMFS convened a multi-stakeholder meeting in Anchorage Alaska:  Conservation and Recovery of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in the Context of Continued Development.  The purpose of the meeting was to engage stakeholders and begin exploring Cook Inlet specific solutions for mitigating and monitoring adverse effects on belugas, while also allowing for sustainable development. The first day of the two-day workshop was devoted to background and updates related to the status, ecology, and stressors of Cook Inlet belugas and the standards set by the MMPA and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  The second day included an exploration of measures and strategies to minimize anthropogenic impacts, promote recovery, and increase understanding of impacts, as well as a discussion of these objectives in the context of ensuring MMPA and ESA compliance for future activities. 

Key Documents

• Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Assessment on the Issuance of Take Authorizations in Cook Inlet, Alaska (8/12/2015)
• 2014 Meeting Agenda (PDF, 4 pages)
• Additional Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Workshops and Conferences