gov.noaa.nodc:CIBW-PhotoID eng utf8 series NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NOAA Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information custodian 2026-06-01T18:13:16Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Photo-identification of Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska: groups encountered and individuals identified since 2018 2020-07-21 publication 2026-01-08 revision 2020-06-23 creation International DOI Foundation (IDF) 10.25921/0ry2-ks33 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:CIBW-PhotoID NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information publisher Tamara McGuire tamaracookinletbeluga@gmail.com resourceProvider Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project https://www.cookinletbelugas.com/ HTTPS website Institution web page information resourceProvider Tamara McGuire Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project tamaracookinletbeluga@gmail.com principalInvestigator John McClung Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project mcclungj@icloud.com collaborator Amy Willoughby NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/AFSC) http://www.afsc.noaa.gov HTTP NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/AFSC) website Institution web page information collaborator Amber D. Stephens Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project collaborator McGuire, Tamara Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project tamaracookinletbeluga@gmail.com author McClung, John Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project mcclungj@icloud.com author tableDigital This collection documents the date, group ID, group size, group composition, and location for each group of beluga whale encountered during surveys conducted in Upper Cook Inlet Alaska during ice-free months. It also documents individuals identified in photographs taken during these surveys. Data were collected in field notes, vessel GPS track lines (where appropriate) and GIS software and is available in spreadsheet format. Data were collected as part of a continuous photo-ID project documenting the distribution, movement patterns, and life-history characteristics of individually identified Cook Inlet Beluga Whales. Funding Agency: US DOC; NOAA; National Marine Fisheries Service onGoing historicalArchive NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact asNeeded https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:CIBW-PhotoID Preview graphic PNG 0210994 0235970 0253788 0279743 0289933 0301258 0311434 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2025-12-23 publication biological data cetacean MARINE MAMMALS MARINE SPECIES INVENTORY species abundance theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS camera GPS photo-identification techniques instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS biological in situ survey survey - biological visual estimate visual observation theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS Gulf of Alaska place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS oceanography theme WMO_CategoryCode 2012-09-15 publication Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project Professional Scientific Services Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-Identification, contract number 1305M321CNFFS0040-P22001-Mod2 Professional Scientific Services Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-Identification, contract number AB-133F-17-CN-0145 Professional Scientific Services Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-Identification, contract number AB-133F-17-CN-0145_M0001 Professional Scientific Services Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-Identification, contract number AB-133F-17-CN-0145_P20004 project Provider Project Names EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > MAMMALS > CETACEANS EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > MARINE MAMMALS theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian Beluga Whale Delphinapterus leucas dolphin odontocete theme Provider Keywords cetacean theme Provider Research Data Type CAMERA > CAMERA GPS RECEIVERS > GPS RECEIVERS Photo-Identification Techniques instrument Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian camera visual observations instrument Provider Instrument Names R/V Lucinda Lee platform Provider Platform Keywords land-based stations small boats platform Provider Platform Names OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN > GULF OF ALASKA place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian Cook Inlet, Alaska Gulf of Alaska Upper Cook Inlet, Alaska place Provider Place Names 02J345 076X7M 0HBKAP 0J0JR4 0X81WW EU4GT8 P48MRF Send2NCEI Submission Package ID accessLevel: public otherRestrictions Cite as: McGuire, Tamara; McClung, John (2020). Photo-identification of Beluga Whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska: groups encountered and individuals identified since 2018. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/0ry2-ks33. Accessed [date]. Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives. otherRestrictions Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose. otherRestrictions Surveys conducted under NMFS permit #2222 to T. McGuire. Do not cite these data without referencing permit and permit holder. license Some of the data in this dataset has been dedicated to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication. SPDX License: Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal (CC0-1.0) Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project 2017 publication https://www.cookinletbelugas.com/ HTTPS https://www.cookinletbelugas.com/ Project website information Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Photo-ID Project publisher documentDigital [accessed 2023-07-08] crossReference project eng; USA utf8 environment oceans biota -151.38 -148.99 60.54 61.33 2018-01-01 1. Dedicated photo-id surveys were conducted from small vessels and from shore in Cook Inlet, Alaska. Survey effort was focused in Upper Cook Inlet, primarily in the Susitna River Delta (defined here as the area between the Beluga River and the Little Susitna River), Knik Arm, Chickaloon Bay, Fire Island, the Kenai River Delta (defined as the area between the Kasilof River and Nikiski) and Turnagain Arm. Survey schedules varied according to those combinations of season, location, and tide that provided the greatest likelihood of detecting whales. Established general survey routes were followed, although deviations were made depending on where beluga groups were encountered. Surveys lasted approximately six hours, although the exact duration of surveys depended on hours of daylight, tidal conditions, if whale groups were encountered, and size and behavior of whale groups. 2. Vessel-based surveys were conducted from the R/V Lucinda Lee, a 6 m (20 ft) Silver Marine Phoenix® powered by a 4-stroke 150 hp Yamaha motor. The research vessel usually carried one skipper and one observer/photographer. Vessel position was recorded with a Garmin™ GPS (Global Positioning System) Map 76C. A whale group generally was only approached once per survey and usually followed in the manner described by Würsig and Jefferson (1990): the research vessel approached slowly, parallel to the group, and matched group speed and heading in order to obtain images of lateral sides of individuals while minimizing disruption of the group. Researchers noted the position of whales relative to the vessel and GPS-logged tracks of the vessel were used to estimate approximate whale group positions. The majority of the vessel-based surveys were centered around low tide. 3. Shore-based surveys were conducted from observation stations along Turnagain Arm and at the mouth of Eagle River in Knik Arm. Photo-id surveys along Turnagain Arm generally began three hours before high tide, based on results from previous research that indicated that this was when belugas were most likely to be present (Markowitz and McGuire 2007). When beluga whales were seen, the observer attempted to follow them along Turnagain Arm as they moved with the tide or remained in one area if whales stayed here milling or if several groups of whales travelled by the turnout. Most photographs were taken from sites where whales approached closest to shore and that afforded relatively easy vehicle access. Shore-based surveys of the Eagle River Flats of Knik Arm were conducted from the north shore of the mouth of the river by a team of observers led by Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER), with invited participation by a CIBW Photo-ID team member. The survey was scheduled around the low tide, as this provided the greatest likelihood of detecting whales at this location (Funk et al. 2005, McGuire et al. 2008, JBER 2010). Observers were stationed at the mouth of Eagle River and had views of Eagle Bay and Eagle River. 4. Land-based surveys in the Kenai River Delta were conducted from sites overlooking the mouth of the Kenai River or the Port of Kenai dock during times when the survey vessel could not be safely operated (e.g., small-craft advisories, extreme low tide, duck hunters firing over the water). 5. Standardized data forms were used to record beluga whale sightings. 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CSV Excel XLSX 2.876 https://doi.org/10.25921/0ry2-ks33 HTTPS Web browser NCEI Dataset Landing Page Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/metadata/granule/geoportal/?from=0&size=10&esdsl=%7B%22query%22%3A%7B%22bool%22%3A%7B%22must%22%3A%5B%7B%22query_string%22%3A%7B%22analyze_wildcard%22%3Atrue%2C%22query%22%3A%22fileid%3ACIBW-PhotoID.*%22%7D%7D%5D%7D%7D%7D#searchPanel HTTPS Web browser Granule Search Search for data granules belonging to this collection (a granule is the smallest aggregation of data that can be independently described and retrieved). search series NCEI Accession 0210994 v1.1 was published. 2020-07-21T19:35:23Z NCEI Accession 0235970 v1.1 was published. 2021-06-16T17:22:13Z NCEI Accession 0253788 v1.1 was published. 2022-07-30T16:36:31Z NCEI Accession 0235970 was revised and v2.2 was published. 2022-07-30T17:06:52Z NCEI Accession 0279743 v1.1 was published. 2023-07-14T16:52:31Z NCEI Accession 0289933 v1.1 was published. 2024-03-27T00:35:51Z NCEI Accession 0301258 v1.1 was published. 2025-01-29T20:48:30Z NCEI Accession 0311434 v1.1 was published. 2026-01-08T16:40:21Z asNeeded Metadata are developed, maintained and distributed by NCEI. Updates are performed as needed to maintain currentness. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information custodian camera camera An instrument for recording images. GPS GPS Global Positioning System receiver satellite-based instrument used for geo-location, positioning and navigation photo-identification techniques photo-identification techniques A method of identifying species with persistent external patterns that can be used to identify unique individuals over the course of most of their adult life span. Examples include spots, anomalous pigmentation, and patterns on the trailing edges of marine mammal fins. https://gcmd.earthdata.nasa.gov/KeywordViewer/scheme/all/a9b6ed7f-2e26-4749-98f0-b3617451192b?gtm_keyword=Photo-Identification%20Techniques