Environment minister increases Baffin Island caribou tags over next decade
There will be 350 caribou tags from now until June 2023
Nunavut Environment Minister David Akeeagok has added 100 tags to the total allowable harvest for Baffin Island caribou for the 2022 to 2023 season, and 50 tags each season for eight seasons afterward. (File photo)
Nunavut Environment Minister David Akeeagok has added 100 tags to the total allowable harvest for Baffin Island caribou for the 2022-2023 season, and 50 tags for each of the eight seasons after that.
Through a change that took effect July 1 and runs until June 30 next year, there will be 350 tags for Baffin Island caribou instead of 250, according to a news release from Environment Department spokesperson Estela Aguilar.
Up to 75 of the tags can be used for female caribou.
After that, there will be an increase of 50 tags per season — bringing the annual total to 300, up to 20 per cent of which can be used for female caribou — until the 2031-32 hunting season, or until “new information becomes available that would require changes,” said the press release.
The Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board met with elders, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and government departments in June to discuss changing the harvesting limits on Baffin Island caribou.
The Qikiqtaaluk board wanted there to be a 100-tag increase for the 2022-23 harvesting season, then 75 the next year, and 50 each year afterward until the 2031-32 hunting season.
The Government of Nunavut had proposed an increase of 50 caribou each year for the next 10 years.
Ultimately, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board voted for the option that Akeeagok approved.
Friday’s release said the total allowable harvest limit was implemented to support the recovery of the Baffin Island caribou population while providing harvesting opportunities.
So 350 tags means 700+ caribou will be harvested ??
There is something I do not understand in the math here:
1) there will be 350 tags
2) After that, there will be an increase of 50 tags per season — bringing the annual total to 300…
Doesn’t an annual increase of 50 after 350 in 2023 mean the following
2023 – 350
2024 – 400
2025 – 450
Etc?
The calculation is based on using 250 as the base amount each year. Not increasing the base amount each year as you have done in your calculation.
2022/23 – 250 + 100 = 350
2023/24 – 250 + 50 = 300
2024/25 – 250 + 50 = 300
etc.
Agree or not to agree issues we see on Baffin,
Not enough wildlife officers our Government have and issues are in smaller communities will not report a catch and over harvest if they are not in a ballet draw how Iqaluit and Kimmirutmuit used,
Heard of Pond Clyde and Pang who has been over harvesting.
Eyes and ears
The fact that you couldn’t even find a photo of Baffin Island caribou speaks volumes about the health of the herd.
This sounds like good conservation practices, harvesting endangered populations…