Beluga Whales in the Bering and Chukchi Seas: An International Workshop on Research Directions and Cooperation

“白鲸在白令海和楚科奇海”白鲸（Delphinapterus leucas）在白令海、楚科奇海和波弗特海被发现，数量数以万计。通过基因分析，至少确定了四种不同的种群，卫星标记显示，一些种群的迁徙路径与加拿大、美国和俄罗斯水域相连。白鲸是阿拉斯加和加拿大许多社区的重要生存物种，在楚科奇被投机取巧。虽然最近的研究扩大了我们对白鲸生态学的了解，但仍然存在许多问题。例如，在俄罗斯水域是否有单独的白鲸种群？哪些北美鱼类迁徙到俄罗斯水域，何时？为了回答这些问题并促进整个区域的科学合作，特别是与俄罗斯的科学合作，将于2000年11月举行一次讲习班，与会者来自俄罗斯、加拿大和美国。这一努力预计将导致该地区的白鲸科学家和当地专家之间更多的互动，并更好地了解这一重要北极物种的生态。

ABSTRACTOPP-0003658Huntington"Beluga Whales in the Bering and Chukchi Seas"Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are found in the tens of thousands in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. At least four distinct stocks have been identified by genetic analysis, and satellite tagging has shown that the migratory paths of some stocks link Canadian, American, and Russian waters. Belugas are an important subsistence species for many communities in Alaska and Canada, and are taken opportunistically in Chukotka. While recent studies have expanded our understanding of beluga ecology, many questions remain. For example, are there separate stocks of belugas that remain in Russian waters? Which North American stocks migrate to Russian waters and when? To answer these questions and to promote scientific cooperation throughout the region, especially with Russia, a workshop will be held in November 2000 with participants from Russia, Canada, and the United States. This effort is expected to lead to greater interaction among beluga scientists and indigenous experts in the region, and to a better understanding of the ecology of this important arctic species.