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. 

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Task Force Coordinators

• Jill Seymour – NOAA Fisheries 
• Lori Polasek – Alaska Department of Fish and Game 

Committees

Research Committee

• Chair
  • Robyn Angliss – 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
  • Lori Quakenbush – Alaska Department of Fish and Game
  • Kim Shelden – NOAA Fisheries 
  • Paul Wade – NOAA Fisheries 

Outreach Committee

• Chairs
  • TBA – NOAA Fisheries 
  • Christine Bubac – Alaska Department of Fish and Game 
• Committee Members
  • Forrest Bowers - Alaska Department of Fish and Game
  • Ragen Davey – Defenders of Wildlife
  • Tamara McGuire – The Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project
  • Alex Perry – NOAA Fisheries
  • John Plaskett – Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility
  • Suzanne Steinert – Beluga Whale Alliance

Habitat and Threats Management Committee

• Co-Chairs
  • Carley Lowe – NOAA Fisheries
  • Jenell Larsen Tempel – Alaska Department of Fish and Game
• Committee Members
  • Manolo Castellote – University of Washington
  • Vicki Cornish – Marine Mammal Commission 
  • David Kroto – Tyonek Native Corporation
  • Colton Lipka – Alaska Department of Fish and Game
  • Amy Peloza – HilCorp Alaska LLC
  • John Plaskett - Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility
  • Mandy Keogh– NOAA Fisheries
  • Sheyna Wisdom – Alaska Ocean Observing System

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More Information

• Cook Inlet Beluga Coastal Educational Panel
• Cook Inlet Belugas: A Population in Decline (poster)
• Cook Inlet Beluga Conservation and Management
• Protecting Marine Life in Alaska

2023 Updates

• Cook Inlet Beluga Research Committee Update January 27, 2023
• Cook Inlet Beluga Outreach Committee Update January 27, 2023
• Cook Inlet Beluga Habitat and Threats Management Committee January 2023 Update

2022 Updates

• Cook Inlet Beluga Research Committee Update January 28, 2022
• Cook Inlet Beluga Outreach Committee Update January 28, 2022
• Cook Inlet Beluga Habitat and Threats Management Committee January 2022 Update