Beluga Protection in Tuxedni Bay

— Loren Barrett

Following the recent overturning of Lease Sale 258—a significant victory for beluga habitat and recovery—Cook Inletkeeper and The Center for Biological Diversity jointly petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service to establish a Cook Inlet beluga protection zone in the Tuxedni Bay area. This proposed zone aims to shield critically endangered beluga whales from industrial noise and development within their crucial habitat.

Human-caused noise—along with reductions in prey and pollution—is one of the primary threats to the survival of this unique species. A recent acoustic study highlighted Tuxedni Bay as one of the quietest and most pristine tracts of beluga habitat in Cook Inlet. It is an invaluable refuge, rich in prey, and a key foraging area in the fall, winter, and spring.  

Map courtesy of Kara Clauser/Center for Biological Diversity

Our petition proposes regulations to prohibit industrial vessels and activities within the zone that could harm Cook Inlet belugas without impacting commercial fishing or local tourism.

Tuxedni Bay is the preferred location for the proposed Johnson Tract mine, a non-critical minerals project in advanced exploration stages that would introduce a marine terminal with a haul road, port site, and ore barges all traversing beluga territory. Such heavy industrial development would have a significant impact on the Cook Inlet belugas, whose current population hovers around just 300 whales.

Cook Inlet belugas are designated as a Fisheries Service “species in the spotlight,” indicating that they are one of the top 10 endangered marine species nationwide prioritized for recovery efforts. The Service identifies these species as facing imminent extinction if substantial threats are not mitigated.

Tuxedni Bay is an essential piece of habitat to ensure the continued survival of this iconic species. The Cook Inlet Beluga habitat is beleaguered with threats from underwater noise from oil and gas development, reductions in critical prey availability, and pollution. NMFS has a duty to ensure the highest levels of accountability for proposed industrial development and to implement swift measures to ensure the protection and recovery of this endangered species.