NOAA Fisheries and Partners to Hold 5th Annual Belugas Count September 23

NOAA Fisheries sent this bulletin at 09/15/2023 03:26 PM EDT

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

NOAA Fisheries and Partners to Hold 5th Annual Belugas Count September 23

Alaska’s largest one-day marine mammal educational event to celebrate 50th anniversary of Endangered Species Act.

NOAA Fisheries and partners invite the public to celebrate the 5th Annual Belugas Count! and the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act on Saturday, September 23.

Belugas Count! is a free, family-friendly educational celebration of the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale. These white whales live in Cook Inlet year-round. The latest population estimate for the species is 331.

This year, the head of NOAA Fisheries will be in Anchorage to participate in the event. “This is my first time participating in Belugas Count!, and I am so honored,” said NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Janet Coit. “It’s also the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act and the opportunity to see iconic Cook Inlet beluga whales is rare and special. Cook Inlet is an amazing ecosystem and it’s no wonder these fascinating white whales draw people from around the world to Alaska specifically for this event.”