Fisheries and Oceans Canada closed Nunavik’s beluga harvest on Nov. 13, saying “the total allowable take for the season has been reached.” (File photo)

Nunavik’s fall beluga harvest closes for the season

Regional wildlife authorities waiting for approval of a new five-year management plan

By Sarah Rogers

Nunavik’s hunters might have enjoyed a fall beluga hunt, but it was short-lived.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada closed the beluga harvest in the region on Nov. 13, saying “the total allowable take for the season has been reached.”

The DFO had approved an interim beluga management plan for Nunavik at the end of October, giving the green light for the harvest of 12 Eastern Hudson Bay beluga whales. The goal of the interim decision was to allow for a short harvest season before freeze-up.

With Nunavik’s 2017-20 beluga management plan having expired, the season had been closed since July 29 after hunters reached a temporary quota set by the DFO.

The Nunavik Marine Regional Wildlife Board wildlife management board submitted a new plan to the DFO in May—one that attempted to better balance Inuit harvesting rights and conservation of the vulnerable Eastern Hudson Bay beluga stock.

The wildlife board expects to receive a decision from the DFO on the complete, five-year management plan by Nov. 28.

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(3) Comments:

  1. Posted by Billy Dan May on

    How can we enjoy the fall hunt when we can’t hunt enough to feed our people, conservation is key but if you look at the genetics of hunted animals when sampled most community’s take more from the Whb than the endangered ehb this colonial way of forcing conservation practices on people with out looking at it broader and seeing the human factor of such decisions and the impact it has on food security for the Inuit of Nunavik

    • Posted by Janimarik on

      How can Inuit have an impact on beluga whales population? The impact on population is so small and impossible to wipe out the specie they say it is endangered, besides, qilalugaq is smart, not only intelligent but also have great eye sight on both water and land, unimaginable great hearing, that can sense danger very quickly therefore making it an exceptional “escape artists”, also when its wounded by any possible predator they have impressive way to heal very quickly and move on in the frozen seas. Now lets ask wich specie is endangered that is impacted by climate change? Not the smarty beluga thats for sure…

      • Posted by Billy Dan may on

        Ilai…That is very true as well Most belugas a very smart like you say and can’t be caught even by the best hunters… silatuningi nungutautuinnaniujangimijut

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