Science Advisory Report 2009/016
Stock assessment of Northern Quebec (Nunavik) Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas)
Summary
- Beluga that summer in Ungava Bay, in eastern Hudson Bay and western Hudson Bay are recognized as separate stocks. Genetic analyses support the principle of an eastern and one or more western Hudson Bay and possibly James Bay beluga stocks, but more information is needed. There is insufficient genetic information to confirm the stock identity of whales summering in Ungava Bay. In previous assessments, it was estimated that 21% of the Hudson Strait villages harvest and 13% of the Ungava Bay harvest comprise EHB animals. The spring harvest comprises a lower proportion of EHB animals than the fall harvest. However, there is considerable uncertainty associated with the proportion of animals harvested in the spring versus the fall.
- Aerial surveys flown in 2008 provided an abundance estimate (uncorrected for diving animals and including whales counted in the estuaries) of 9292 in James Bay, 1265 in eastern Hudson Bay (EHB). No beluga whales were seen in Ungava Bay./li>
- Population modeling, using abundance estimates corrected for diving by multiplying by 2.09, indicates that the eastern Hudson Bay population has likely declined from 4,300 whales in 1985 to 3,000 in 2008.
- Modeling suggests that struck and loss and under-reporting levels may be between 40-80%. This high figure represents a combination of factors including non-reporting, uncertainty in the proportion of EHB animals taken in the harvest as well as high struck and non-recovery of animals.
- A harvest of 50 reported EHB animals would likely not lead to any change in the population, while lower harvests than this would allow some recovery. It is recommended that no harvesting of beluga occur in Ungava Bay. The eastern Hudson Bay arc should also remain closed to hunting.
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