The Structure of the Reproductive Gathering of Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776), off Solovetsky Island (White Sea) as Inferred from Results of Photo Identification in 2007–2013

A seven-year photo identification study (2007–2013) of beluga whales off Solovetsky Island, White Sea, reveals that the reproductive gathering consists of approximately 195.4 ± 23.5 individuals per summer, significantly higher than previous visual estimates. The population exhibits varying degrees of fidelity to the area, with resident belugas showing philopatry by returning annually, while non-resident adults (both males and females) visit temporarily during the summer. This study provides critical insights into the structure and dynamics of this subpopulation within Onega Bay, contributing to our understanding of beluga whale behavior in UNESCO-listed marine environments.

Chernetsky, A. D., & Krasnova, V. V. (2018). The Structure of the Reproductive Gathering of Beluga Whales, Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776), off Solovetsky Island (White Sea) as Inferred from Results of Photo Identification in 2007–2013. Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 44(5), 394–403. https://doi.org/10.1134/s1063074018050048