"This report contains information regarding studies conducted on beluga whales, gray whales, humpback whales, and harbor seals."--P. i

The National Marine Fisheries Service (l\rNßS) conducted an aerial survey of the beluga whale population in Cook Inlet, Alaska, during 8-14 June 1999. The 41.5 hr surveywas flown in a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft at an altitude of 244 m (800 ft) and speed of 185 km/hr (100 kt) along a trackline 1.4 km from shore, consistent with annual surveys flown each year since 1993. The flights in 1999 included one or more surveys of coastal areas around nearly the entire Inlet and 1,790 km oftransects across the Inlet. Paired, independent observers searched on the coastal (left) side of the plane, where virtually all sightings occur, while a single observer and a computer operatorldatarecorder were on the right side. In addition, each day a different visitor observed from the left side. After finding beluga groups, a series of aerial passes were made to allow at least two pairs of primary observers to make four or more counts of each group. Inter-day counts ranged from 75 to160 belugas near the Susitna River (between the Beluga and Little Susitna Rivers), 13 to 43 in Knik Arm, and 17 to 30 in Chickaloon Bay, but no belugas were found in lower Cook Inlet. The sum of the aerial estimates (using median counts from each site, not corrected for missed whales) ranged from 197 to 221 whales, depending on observer. The index count for 1999 is 217 , which is slightly higher than the index counts for 1998 (193) but lower than all index counts by NMFS observers between 1993-97

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is a far-reaching law that has sparked intense controversies over the use of public lands, the rights of property owners, and economic versus environmental benefits. In this volume a distinguished committee focuses on the science underlying the ESA and offers recommendations for making the act more effective. The committee provides an overview of what scientists know about extinctionâ€"and what this understanding means to implementation of the ESA. Habitatâ€"its destruction, conservation, and fundamental importance to the ESAâ€"is explored in detail. The book analyzes: Concepts of speciesâ€"how the term "species" arose and how it has been interpreted for purposes of the ESA. Conflicts between species when individual species are identified for protection, including several case studies. Assessment of extinction risk and decisions under the ESAâ€"how these decisions can be made more effectively. The book concludes with a look beyond the Endangered Species Act and suggests additional means of biological conservation and ways to reduce conflicts. It will be useful to policymakers, regulators, scientists, natural-resource managers, industry and environmental organizations, and those interested in biological conservation.

This handbook is a guide to the federal Endangered Species Act, the primary U.S. law aimed at protecting species of animals and plants from human threats to their survival. It is intended for lawyers, government agency employees, students, community activists, businesspeople, and any citizen who wants to understand the Act--its history, provisions, accomplishments, and failures.

Comprehensive manual for understanding and carrying out marine mammal rescue activities for stranded seals, manatees, dolphins, whales, or sea otters.