Evidence for a decline in Northern Quebec (Nunavik) Belugas

20Citations
Citations of this article
89Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Systematic aerial line-transect surveys of beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas, were conducted in James Bay, eastern Hudson Bay, and Ungava Bay from 14 August to 3 September 2001. An estimated 7901 (SE = 1744) and 1155 (SE = 507) belugas were present at the surface in the offshore areas of James Bay and Hudson Bay, respectively. An additional 39 animals were observed in estuaries during the coastal survey, resulting in an index estimate of 1194 (SE = 507) in eastern Hudson Bay. No belugas were observed in Ungava Bay. Observations from systematic surveys conducted in 1993 and 2001 were analyzed using both line-transect and strip-transect methods to allow comparisons with the strip-transect survey conducted in 1985. A population model incorporating harvest information and fitted to the aerial survey data indicates that the number of belugas in eastern Hudson Bay has declined by almost half because of high harvest levels. Subsistence harvest levels must be reduced significantly if this population is to recover.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Hammill, M. O., Lesage, V., Gosselin, J. F., Bourdages, H., De March, B. G. E., & Kingsley, M. C. S. (2004). Evidence for a decline in Northern Quebec (Nunavik) Belugas. Arctic. Arctic Institute of North America. https://doi.org/10.14430/arctic494

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free