Cook Inlet beluga

How it was counted

NOAA Fisheries, through its Alaska Fisheries Science Center, made the estimate from an aerial survey. The figure is a number of animals for the whole Cook Inlet population, published as a best estimate of 331 with a range of 290 to 386.

This is a survey estimate with a range: about 331 is the best figure, and the true number could sit anywhere from 290 to 386.

Earlier figures

• 279 in 2018: the previous count. Source: NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center (aerial survey).

What moves it

NOAA Fisheries names underwater noise (which interrupts how belugas normally behave), less prey, and belugas stranding alive on the mudflats of upper Cook Inlet, which some do not survive. NOAA Fisheries adds that living beside Anchorage, the most densely populated area of Alaska, makes exposure to these threats more likely.

• underwater noise. Underwater noise pollution interrupts the normal behavior of beluga whales Source: NOAA Fisheries.
• less prey. can decrease the amount of prey available to beluga whales Source: NOAA Fisheries.
• more exposure to these threats from living beside Anchorage, the most densely populated area of Alaska. a greater likelihood of exposure to many of these threats Source: NOAA Fisheries.
• live strandings in the mudflats of upper Cook Inlet, which some belugas do not survive. Unfortunately, some belugas succumb to the stress associated with live strandings Source: NOAA Fisheries.

The next count

The survey schedule is irregular (June aerial surveys; the 2024 survey moved to June 2025). No date for the next count is known as of 12 November 2026.

Sources

• NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center (aerial survey) Last checked 12 November 2026.
• NOAA FisheriesBeluga Whale Last checked 12 November 2026.

What changed

• 12 November 2026 Added to Live Species, on the wall (1,000 or fewer): 331, between 290 and 386 (Estimate, with range, June 2022).

Every change on the site