The north slope borough's community funded project supports the sustainable management of the bering-chukchi-beaufort stock of bowhead whales

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $1,536,000 Project Grant under the Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects program (CFDA 11.469) to the North Slope Borough in Alaska. The purpose of this grant is to conduct surveys that provide estimations on the abundance of the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort population of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus). These surveys will occur from the sea ice near Point Barrow and involve observers counting whales as they migrate. The data gathered through this project will be used to support the sustainable management of the Bering-Chukchi-Beaufort stock of bowhead whales, as the harvest quota is set by the International Whaling Commission. The grant period runs from January 1, 2025 through August 31, 2028.

The purpose of this project is to conduct surveys that provide estimations on the abundance of the bering-chukchi-beaufort population of bowhead whales (balaena mysticetus). The harvest quota is set by the international whaling commission under an international treaty, which was enacted as the whaling convention act of 1949. The harvest in alaska is regulated through a cooperative agreement between the alaska eskimo whaling commission and the national atmospheric and oceanic administration. Estimates of abundance are required by the international whaling commission for the renewal of the harvest quota and to ensure that the harvest is sustainable. The next estimate of abundance must be agreed (reviewed and accepted) by the commission by 2029. Estimates of abundance are required by the international whaling commission for the renewal of the harvest quota and to ensure that the harvest is sustainable. These surveys will occur from the sea ICE near point barrow; trails are cut with hand tools through rough ICE to allow access to the ICE edge with snow machines and temporary observation perches are built upon tall blocks or ridges of sea ICE. From these perches, anywhere from 15-30 feet above the water, observers count whales as they migrate.