The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries service has asked for public input on a draft recovery plan for Cook Inlet Beluga whales.
Public comment is open and NOAA released the plan May 15, coinciding with Endangered Species Day.
NOAA Fisheries Spokesperson Julie Speegle…
Speegle: “The draft recovery plan will hopefully guide efforts to recover Cook Inlet Beluga whales to a point where they can be removed from the list of endangered species. The recovery actions listed in this draft plan are based on the best available science.”
Cook Inlet Belugas were listed as endangered in 2008 and are the first “Species in the Spotlight” as part of a week-long campaign to focus attention on species at risk of extinction.
Over the past 10 years Beluga populations continue to trend towards decline and not recovery.
