Zone for eastern Hudson Bay beluga protection shrinks, Inukjuak now outside it
In notice to hunters, federal department announces new lines drawn
Canada’s department of fisheries and oceans announced a redrawing of the boundary lines for the Eastern Hudson Bay Beluga management zone, according to a decision made by the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board. (File photo)
The boundary that marks a protection zone for belugas in the eastern Hudson Bay Region is smaller after a recommendation from Nunavik’s marine wildlife management board was accepted by the federal government.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced the change Thursday in a news release.
Hunters are limited to a total allowable harvest of belugas within this zone per year.
But the northern boundary of the beluga management zone is now south of Inukjuak, which means hunters in that community can now harvest an unlimited number of beluga in their coastal waters.
The Nastapoka River estuary and the Little Whale River estuary are still considered closed areas, and require an approved estuary harvest plan for opening.
Hunters who wish to hunt around the community of Inukjuak should contact Inukjuak Anguvigaq — an organization that protects and promotes Inuit harvesting rights throughout Nunavik — to ensure familiarity with local bylaws, the department advised.
The change, announced in a notice to hunters Wednesday, was recommended by the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Board and accepted by Diane Lebouthillier, the minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
The revised region is the enclosure between the eastern shores of Hudson Bay and James Bay, and a straight line following these points, in order:
- Latitude 54° 54′ 35″ N, longitude 78° 45′ 21″ W;
- Latitude 55°15′ 0″ N, longitude 79° 0′ 0″ W;
- Latitude 55° 45′ 0″ N, longitude 78° 0′ 0″ W;
- Latitude 56° 0′ 0″ N, longitude 77° 30′ 0″ W;
- Latitude 56° 22′ 0″ N, longitude 77° 25′ 0″ W;
- Latitude 57° 0′ 0″ N, longitude 77° 25′ 0″ W;
- Latitude 57° 40′ 0″ N, longitude 78° 0′ 0″ W;
- Latitude 57° 46′ 58.656″ N, longitude 78° 37′ 11.460″ W;
- Latitude 58° 20′ 53.088″ N, longitude 77° 59′ 11.148″ W.
This map shows the nine co-ordinates provided by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada that act as the new boundary for the eastern Hudson Bay beluga management zone. (Visual courtesy of Google Maps)
The department’s notice also encourages hunters to gather their harvest whenever possible so the data can be used to help monitor the health of the stock and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the harvest.
Sample kits can be found at every community’s Anguvigaq office.
Any scientific basis for this, or is it because the Nunavik Marine Board just so happens to be in Inukjuak?
It doesn’t matter what inukjuak may have as office. Just go to marine land beluga sanctuary for oooh’s and awww’s . Maybe the belugas will wave at you along with the dolphins. It’s time for me to have mattaq while you buy your hotdogs.
Scientific basis and research has confirmed through samples that Non-EHB beluga migrate by the community, 5 samples were taken just 45 minutes north of Inukjuak by canoe in spring of 2022 and all were proven to be Non-EHB beluga, DFO proven. Scientific facts for you, and they are proof that it’s not just because the Nunavik Marine Board is in Inukjuak.
Inukjuamiut, hunters and the wildlife board have also approved and proposed of a voluntary closure from July 15 to September 30 each year, similar to Sanikiluaq, to help protect the EHB beluga. This community based approach is community led and like all management plans, should come from the communities and managed by the communities. This is missing in this article, the fact that Inuit of Inukjuak put on the table this voluntary closure from July 15 to September 30 of each year, to help conserve the EHB beluga – Please correct and include this important fact.
This is a better approach then having people in offices in the south telling Inuit how to best manage their wildlife. We are breaking away from this old colonial, top down approach and working on better solutions as well as real reconciliation to help build the capacity of Inuit and to give them the opportunity to better manage wildlife on their own, balancing both Inuit harvesting rights and the conservation concerns of those at risk.
There has been 2 deaths from the community of Inukjuak over the past few decades taking into account the long distances that Inuit had to travel to harvest for their community. Where is the concern for our Inuit population? Where is the support for our Inuit hunters and community members???
Inuit are concerned too, for both our community members and hunters as well as for the EHB beluga. Obviously, our Inuit are not a priority to those “concerned”… Typical…
Good and thank you. Maybe the journalist could take some inspiration from the comments to provide context and not just rewrite a notice.