The Government of Canada is investing $4,306,472 over two fiscal years for three fisheries science and research projects in Nunavut. Along with investments from partners, this total investment of $7,200,641 million will increase knowledge of fishing resources in the territory and lead to greater opportunities in Nunavut’s growing fishing industry.
CanNor: $740,000
Department of Fisheries & Oceans: $1,150,000
National Research Council: $193,984
Government of Nunavut (Department of Environment): $146,000
Nunavut Offshore Allocation Holders Association: $452,250
Others (Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and Makivik): $300,000
Total: $2,982,234 (2014-15 and 2015-16)
This funding will support four offshore fisheries projects:
Annual Offshore Multi-Species Survey
Offshore multi-species stock surveys are critical to resource management. These annual surveys have resulted in increased quotas that supported the growth of Nunavut’s fishing industry. The surveys will focus on Greenland halibut and northern shrimp and will ensure each stock is managed in a sustainable way.
Porcupine Crab Research and Exploration
Funding will be used to develop fishing gear and strategies to harvest mature male porcupine crab and assess their health. The results of this study will determine if porcupine crab could be a commercial species for Nunavut.
Northern Shrimp and Greenland Halibut Ageing Techniques
This lab-based project will accurately determine ageing in northern shrimp and Greenland halibut. This is an important factor in managing the sustainability of the species.
Greenland Halibut Population Genetics
Detailed genetic work is required to determine the variability of Greenland halibut in different fishing zones. An investigation using sophisticated genetic techniques will help with the sustainable management of the species.
CanNor: $1,200,000
Department of Fisheries & Oceans: $784,000
Government of Nunavut (Department of Environment): $1,007,000
Oceans Tracking Network: $400,000
Others (Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, Nunavut Offshore Allocation Holders Association, Nunavut General Monitoring Program, Hunters Trappers Association, Intercontinental Polar Shelf, University of Manitoba, University of New Brunswick, and Memorial University of Newfoundland): $236,000
Total: $3,627,000 (2014-15 and 2015-16)
This funding will support three inshore fisheries projects:
Char Fisheries across Nunavut
Funding will focus on the completion of arctic char stock assessments and scientific data in partnership with communities. This will provide the basis for resource management decisions and ensure continued sustainable char fisheries in Nunavut.
Turbot Fisheries in the Baffin Region
Funding will be used to assess the permanent relocation of the Cumberland Sound Turbot Management Zone boundary to expand inshore fishing opportunities, utilize acoustic technology to monitor turbot migratory habits and stock analysis, and test by-catch reduction technology for this fishery.
Qikiqtarjuaq Clam Harvest
This project will focus on evaluating the clam habitat and resource potential near Qikiqtarjuaq, including toxicity levels and sustainable harvesting.
CanNor - $238,488
Government of Nunavut (Department of Environment) - $65,000
Arctic Fisheries Alliance - $162,119
Communities - $55,800
Other (Oceans North and Oceans Tracking Network) - $70,000
Total - $591,407 (2014-15)
This investment will provide data analysis and development of scientific reports of research conducted on Greenland halibut near Grise Fiord and Qikiqtarjuaq to determine the potential establishment of an inshore fishery for those communities.
CanNor Programs
Investment in this project is made possible through CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity-building across the North. SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor.
Funding was also made possible through CanNor’s Northern Aboriginal Economic Opportunities Program (NAEOP), which has two program streams: Community Readiness and Opportunities Planning (CROP), focused on community planning for economic opportunities, and Entrepreneurship and Business Development (EBD) supporting Aboriginal entrepreneurship and business development.
