Agency calls public meeting on Prince William Sound killer whales

The Alaska Region of NOAA Fisheries has scheduled a public meeting in Anchorage concerning the AT-1 killer whales of Prince William Sound.

NOAA Fisheries designated the AT-1 killer whale stock depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act on June 3, 2004. Agency experts and managers are considering the development of a conservation plan to assist the killer whales’ recovery.

“This public meeting won’t be the only chance people have to communicate with us about AT-1 killer whales,” said NOAA Fisheries’ Alaska Region Administrator Dr. James Balsiger. “However, it’s better and easier if people give us their thoughts and opinions now. We’re looking for ideas that may help this population.”

The November 10, 2004 meeting will run from 9 a.m. to noon in the First Floor Executive Dining Conference Room of the Anchorage Federal Building at 222 West 7th Avenue in Anchorage.

Federal biologists will provide background information and will introduce the conservation plan process and time frames. The meeting will include an open forum for discussion.

Copies of the stock’s status review will be available at the meeting, can be found at www.fakr.noaa.gov/frules/fr31321.pdf or may requested at (907) 586-7236.

The AT-1 stock 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 seen feeding on harbor seals and porpoises in Prince William Sound and Kenai Fjords. For genetic, behavioral, ecological and management reasons NOAA Fisheries declared the AT-1 transient stock separate from the general group of transient killer whales in the eastern North Pacific.

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.

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (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 our website at www.fakr.noaa.gov