Fish ‘die-off’ under investigation in Iqaluit
Hundreds of dead fish seen near the deepsea port; Fisheries and Oceans Canada says don’t touch them
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is investigating possible causes for an apparent “die-off” of fish in Iqaluit. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
A “die-off” of fish in Iqaluit is being investigated by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
“Fisheries and Oceans Canada has received reports of what appears to be a die-off of fish that has washed up in Iqaluit, Nunavut,” said Jordan E. Charbonneau, communications director with the federal department, in an email Monday.
“The department is investigating to try to determine the cause.”
On Monday afternoon, hundreds of dead fish could be seen floating in an area near Iqaluit’s deepsea port on the opposite side of the road from the causeway.
The area, which appears to have a flow of water into it, was relatively unattended except for sealift vehicles going in and out of the port and the occasional raven picking away at some of the dead fish.
Charbonneau did not say what type of fish were involved in the die-off or offer any other explanations.
However, he warned the public not to touch the dead fish.
“As the cause is still under investigation and it is unknown how long the fish have been there, we ask the public not to remove the dead fish from the water,” he said.
“There may be health risks to handling or consuming fish that have been dead in the water for an unknown period of time, and from an unknown cause.”
Nunavut’s Department of Environment referred comment to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
DFO should go check surrounding areas as well around Iqaluit or DOE
HTO?
They look like Cod Fish (Uugaq) to me. It could be something natural, climate change or it has to do with the sealift? Hopefully they will find out what might have happened.
Jeez, if they are cod, were they dumped from the fishing derby? I hope they were not wasted- would have happily fed to my dogs.
Cod derby was over 3 months ago, the cod would be rotten by now. These are fresh
I worked that night and there were hundreds of seals their feeding on them . In that exact area. They pushed the fish through the two pipes. Low tide , the fish died.
This is the reason why we should not have fishing derbies. Our ancestors/older elders used to say “only hunt or fish what you will be eating or giving to elders /community”. I have never see the younger generation eat the cod or kanajuq . Some older folks still eat kanajuq and or uugaq but not a lot anymore.
Can we stop gambling with our fishes? Each creature has a purpose and even uugaqs and kanajuqs. I know some feed their dog teams and thank you. But let’s stop fishing derbies and think of other ways to gamble instead (if ppl really want to gamble) or learn how to enjoy the great outdoors without derbies. Food for thought
While we are at it, why not stop Inuit who fish with nets? Because I have seen nets left unattended causing sometimes up to a hundred fish die and gone to waste. And those catching with nets almost exclusively sell their fish. No one fishes or hunts for sustenance anymore. Amateur anglers should only be allowed to catch with reels. I also don’t understand why fishing/hunting is even allowed in spring when the animals are only starting their breeding season.
I totally agree! Certain lakes are being over harvested by fishing nets. HTO usually sets limits or certain lakes cannot put fishing nets depending on the size, etc. look at Nungarut – there used to be a lot of fish but when there is no rules/regulations= free for all. That’s the same across Nunavut.
To the person who said that the last derby was over 3 months ago – I’ve seen dead cod that washed up almost a year later and looks like they were unalive the day before.
Remember a few years ago when Pangnirtung had the fishing derby and tons of pictures showed up where the arctic char were just left on the ice /lake and rotting?
And remember our new NTI president also posted a picture few years ago where tons of sculpins/kanajuq washed up in North Baffin and again – we know from fishing derbies as 99% don’t eat them AND this is way before Baffinland.
We should start teaching again to the next generation about how the ecosystem system works and what our elders taught us about hunting/fishing = only hunt or fish what you will eat and always give thanks to the animals/creatures/Mother Nature, etc.
How do you know the cod died a year before it washed up? Any living thing that dies starts to decompose within 24 hours. Where are these pictures that you are referring to?
These dead cod were not caused by cod derby. There is a comment above from Bruce. Seals were feeding on the cod and they were pushed close to shore during low tide and died
Heat stress in off the possibilites.
To all the people who does not understand the ecosystem,
You all who complain of this without understanding this should know better to know by now how ecosystem works ,
Look at the color of the koojusee inlet tons and tons of cod in the harbor dark color of cods and best to see is when it’s windy yes ture color how much of cod and harp seals or whales feed on ,
Read up on the NLCA who ever says stop the netting does not understand as no difference anywhere in the world how future is todate,
Plug up them coverts or fill that hole with gravel and no one will not complain after as poor engineering happened as always….
Eyes & Ears
Not sure when we will learn from history? Look at what happened in NFLD with fishing back in the late 80’s/90’s. Over fishing does hurt the ecosystem and economy. There was not a lot of jobs left there and we saw many newfies start working at mines across the Canada/not just mines but many other positions as well. When we start to over harvest – animals and fishes disappear and it takes many years to replenish/reproduce.
Same with Baffin caribou hunting, when you set no quotas and not teach the generation about how mating season works, how migration works, etc. same with setting nets. It’s really not rocket science. We all know weather/season/hunting practices all have a play in this.
My whole point why not to gamble on the fish that we are NOT going to even eat!! But for a prize on how biggest or smallest it is? Absolutely disgusting!