Population dynamics of the threatened Cumberland Sound beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) population

Abstract

Current scientific evidence indicates that the threatened Cumberland Sound beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776)) population is genetically differentiated and spatially segregated from other beluga whale populations. This population has been hunted for subsistence for centuries by Inuit who now live in the community of Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada, and was harvested commercially from 1860 until 1966. The commercial harvest removed at least 10 000 individuals from the population. Visual and photographic aerial surveys were flown during August 2014 and 2017 and produced beluga whale abundance estimates of 1151 (CV = 0.214; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 760–1744) and 1381 (CV = 0.043; CI = 1270–1502), respectively. Long-term trends in abundance were examined by fitting a Bayesian surplus-production population model to a time series of abundance estimates (n = 5), flown between 1990 and 2017, taking into account reported subsistence harvests (1960–2017). The model suggests the population is declining. Engaged co-management of the Cumberland Sound beluga population and information on demographic parameters, such as reproductive rates, and age and sex composition of the harvest, are needed to restore the ecological integrity of the Cumberland Sound marine ecosystem.