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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2001

A federal judge in Washington, DC, on Monday rejected an attempt by environmental groups to declare the beluga whale as threatened or endangered under federal law.

The groups had challenged the National Marine Fisheries Service's decision to declare the Cook Inlet beluga whales as "depleted." The designation is not as strong as threatened or endangered.

The Alaska Native village of Tyonek is allowed a beluga harvest. The NMFS has proposed regulations on the hunt and an administrative law judge is expected to make a recommendation about them soon.

Get the Story:
Belugas escape endangered species list (AP 8/22)

Relevant Links:
Cook Inlet Beluga Whales, Agreements, Laws, Information - http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/whales/beluga.htm
The National Marine Fisheries Service - http://www.nmfs.gov

Related Stories:
Part of beluga decision delayed (12/7)
Alaska Natives attend beluga hearing (12/6)
Wandering beluga raises interest (10/30)
Whale beaten to death (09/26)
State: Whales not endangered (07/14)
Beluga in danger (06/01)