NOAA Fisheries News Releases
NEWS RELEASE
June 3, 2004
Kaja Brix
(907) 586-7235
Tom Eagle
(301) 713-2322
NOAA FISHERIES LISTS PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND KILLER WHALES AS DEPLETED
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service has designated the AT-1 killer whale group of Alaska's Prince William Sound as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Based on a status review, agency experts found genetic, behavioral, ecological and management reasons for designating the AT-1 group separate from a larger group of transient killer whales. The AT-1 group was earlier considered part of the larger population of 346 transient killer whales in the eastern North Pacific.
“The number of animals in this group has dramatically decreased since 1989 to the point where this particular stock of killer whales may disappear from the ocean,” said Dr. James Balsiger, NOAA Fisheries’ regional administrator for Alaska. “We need to see what we can do to aid their recovery.”
The AT-1 group was initially described with 22 animals in 1984. Currently down to only eight or nine whales, no new calves have been sighted since 1984. The AT-1 whales have been feeding on harbor seals and porpoises in Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords.
Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords also are home to about 362 resident killer whales. Resident and transient killer whales have different eating habits, calls and social behavior.
The status review that resulted in the depleted designation was prompted by a petition from the National Wildlife Federation submitted on Nov. 13, 2002.
NOAA Fisheries will explore developing a Marine Mammal Protection Act conservation plan for the newly designated AT-1 stock of killer whales. The plan would be written by a process open to the public, with periods for public comment, and would be subject to approval by the Secretary of Commerce.
More information about the depleted designation and about the killer whales can be found on the agency Web site at: http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/whales/killerwhales/petition.htm.
People also may contact Kaja Brix at (907) 586-7235 or Tom Eagle at (301) 713-2322 Ext. 105 for further information.
NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation’s living marine resources through scientific research, management, enforcement and the conservation of marine mammals and other protected marine species and their habitat. To learn more about NOAA Fisheries in Alaska, please visit http://www.fakr.noaa.gov.
The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. To learn more about NOAA, please visit http://www.noaa.gov.