Photo-identification of Beluga Whales in the Susitna River Delta, Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska

Surveys of the Susitna River Delta of Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska were conducted from a small vessel in May – August 2013 under National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)/Endangered Species Act (ESA) Scientific Research Permit # 14210. CIBW sightings and environmental conditions were recorded during the surveys, and whales were photographed with a digital camera and zoom lens. Locations of CIBW groups and survey routes were mapped and figures were prepared showing survey routes, group location, group size, and group color composition for each survey conducted in 2013. All photographs taken in 2013 were archived and are awaiting funding to be cataloged and analyzed.