The University of Alaska Southeast has applied for an amendment to its scientific research permit (No. 24378-01) regarding marine mammals, specifically to increase the number of gray whales studied annually from 250 to 1,000 due to higher-than-expected numbers in Sitka Sound. This permit allows researchers to study various aspects of 18 species of Alaska's cetaceans, including gray, humpback, killer, and sperm whales, through methods such as photo-identification and tagging. The aim is to better understand these whales' population dynamics, demographics, and foraging strategies. The public can comment on this application until April 28, 2025.
Simple Explanation
The University of Alaska wants to study more gray whales because there are more of them than they thought, so they're asking for permission to look at 1,000 whales each year instead of 250. This study will help them learn more about how the whales live and what they do.