In 2006, the Center for Biological Diversity — along with Trustees for Alaska, Cook Inletkeeper, and other organizations — petitioned to protect the Cook Inlet beluga under the Endangered Species Act. In October 2008, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the federal agency charged with protecting marine mammals such as the beluga, finally listed the species as endangered. This overdue protection came only after litigation brought by the Center and allies. 

Unfortunately, rather than designate critical habitat for the beluga at the time of listing, as required by the Endangered Species Act, the Fisheries Service stated that it would defer habitat protection for a year. This decision was unjustified because the Fisheries Service already has ample information on the habitat needs of the beluga and on the threats to that habitat. In fact, a recently completed conservation plan for the beluga specifically identified essential habitat areas for the whale. There is simply no valid excuse to further delay habitat protection.

Last week the Fisheries Service finally began the overdue process of protecting Cook Inlet beluga critical habitat by publishing a notice requesting public comment on which areas should be protected.

Studies have shown that species with critical habitat are twice as likely to recover as species without any habitat designated.

Please let the Fisheries Service know that further delay in protecting the Cook Inlet beluga whale and its habitat is unacceptable. All areas identified in the conservation plan as Type 1, 2, or 3 habitat must be promptly protected.