Grateful to ITK for opposing dragger nets

As a long-term resident of Nunavut and a fourth-year undergraduate honours student in international development and environmental studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I was extremely proud and encouraged when I read in this week’s paper that Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Nattivak Hunters and Trappers Association are questioning the Baffin Fisheries Coalition’s use of draggers in Baffin communities.

As part of my studies last semester, I participated in an internship at the Ecology Action Centre (a local non-governmental organization in Halifax) to help prepare for a legal case against the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in regards to the harmful effects of dragging.

Dragging has greatly contributed to the reduction of fish stocks and ocean bio-diversity in Atlantic Canada and I believe that Jose Kusugak is justified in his fear that this could also happen in Nunavut.

The large, weighted nets of draggers are towed across the ocean floor damaging and catching whatever is in their path. This results in large amounts of by-catch, which is routinely dumped back into the ocean.

I am thankful that ITK is challenging the use of dragger nets and that HTO is developing a community-based fishery, which will directly benefit Nunavut and be much gentler on the marine environment.

I believe that it is important to preserve the natural resources of Nunavut and I am glad to hear the HTO and ITK are standing up and doing what they can to make sure that all Nunavummiut of the future will be able to enjoy the land and resources the same way we do today.

Meghan McKenna
Iqaluit