Distribution and Movements of Belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, in the Canadian High Arctic

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Main Authors: Smith, Thomas G., Martin, A. R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1994
• Subjects: Arctic; Devon Island; Somerset Island; Barrow Strait; Jones Sound; Peel Sound; Prince Regent Inlet; Cunningham Inlet; Elwin Bay; Beluga*; Creswell Bay; Delphinapterus leucas
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f94-166; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f94-166

Belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, move into the coastal waters of Somerset Island as soon as the annual land-fast ice breaks up in late June – early July. Six bays or inlets which receive the outflow of rivers are the major areas of summer aggregation. Belugas captured and equipped with satellite-linked UHF transmitters in Cunningham Inlet (Barrow Strait), Elwin Bay (Prince Regent Inlet), and Creswell Bay moved west into Peel Sound where they frequented two other estuaries. Rapid and directed movement out of Peel Sound occurred in late August. All of the animals which transmitted locations into September or October moved to eastern Devon Island and Jones Sound. The longest period of transmission was 75 d, lasting until mid-October. Belugas tagged in three different locations around Somerset Island in the summers of 1988–93 showed a well-defined and consistent pattern of behaviour. Aerial surveys done during this period confirm that the vast majority of belugas in this region are involved in these seasonal movements.