Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Recovery Implementation Task Force

NOAA Fisheries and the State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) recognize that successful recovery of Cook Inlet belugas (CIB) will require a multifaceted approach, including: understanding and monitoring the Cook Inlet beluga population (i.e., research); assessing, preventing, mitigating or abating threats to the population’s recovery (i.e., habitat and threats management); and garnering public support through improved outreach and education. In an effort to promote recovery, the CIB Recovery Implementation Task Force includes three distinct committees which will focus on each of these general topics:  

1. Research Committee;
2. Habitat and Threats Management Committee; and
3. Outreach Committee. 

The primary role of the Committees is to engage the expertise of researchers, managers, communicators, and various other stakeholders to advise NOAA Fisheries and ADF&G on specific topics or issues relating to CIB recovery. The Committees will provide guidance and recommendations for most effective recovery action implementation based on existing and new data and commercial information, as it becomes available, and will help prioritize limited resources to make the most difference in achieving recovery. The focus will be on short-term actions that can be completed in the next 2–5 years without losing sight of the importance of long-term projects and research. 

Task Force Coordinators

• Verena Gill – NOAA Fisheries 
• Lori Polasek – Alaska Department of Fish and Game 

Committees

Research Committee

• Chair
  • Paul Wade – NOAA Fisheries 
• Committee Members
  • Chris Garner – Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson
  • Carrie Goertz – Alaska SeaLife Center
  • Amy Hapeman – NOAA Fisheries 
  • Tamara McGuire – The Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project
  • Kim Shelden – NOAA Fisheries