Nunavik breaks beluga quota

The beluga hunting season is over in Nunavik, and, as in years past, the region surpassed its quota of 240 animals. This year, according to statistics furnished by the federal Deptartment of Fisheries and Oceans, hunters killed or lost 258 belugas.

The communities reporting the lowest number of belugas were Kuujjuaraapik, Umiujaq, Aupaluk and Kuujjuaq.

Those reporting the highest number were Inukjuak with 35 (nearly twice its quota of 18) and Ivujivik with 36 (11 more than its quota of 25).

The Hudson Strait communities of Ivujivik, Salluit, Kangiqsujuaq and Quaqtaq surpassed the allowable catch for their zone by 16 animals. Due to the widespread unpopularity of quotas there, the actual number of belugas killed may be much higher than the numbers reported.

In February the DFO will begin a community consultation tour in Nunavik to discuss the next beluga management plan for the region. This plan must be in place before the 2001 season starts up in June.

The tour plans to stop at the Hudson Bay communities from Kuujjuaraapik to Akulivik from Feb. 5 to 9, the Hudson Strait communities from Ivujivik to Quaqtaq from Feb. 19 to 23, and the Ungava Bay communities from Mar. 5 to 9.