Hunters, guides need new options
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 22/01) - Inuit who earned money as guides for American polar bear sport hunters say a decision to reduce the quota means more than just economic ruin.
Last week, the polar bear quota for M'Clintock Channel was cut from 32 to 12 -- followed by a total moratorium the next year.
The decision, made by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and supported by Sustainable Development Minister Olayuk Akesuk, came after a scientific study estimated the number of bears to be closer to 288 than the previously believed population of 700 bears.
People from Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak hunted bears in the area.
"I've got to think about something else to do. Most of the guides are worried about that (replacing income)," said George Konana, a guide and hunter from Gjoa Haven.
Usually guiding for two hunts per season for the last 13 years, Konana said the move could reduce his income by between $10,000 and $20,000 a year. It also meant less food on his family's dinner table.
"Polar bear is one of our main meats," he said. "If they give only 12 for all three communities this year and nothing next year, it's not very good."
Findings in dispute
Konana also said he disagreed with the findings of the scientific study.
"I don't believe that. When I go polar bear hunting, I see lots of tracks. There's polar bears out there. Everybody here knows that," said Konana, adding that he wanted the study to include traditional knowledge.
Conducted by the Department of Sustainable Development (DSD) at a cost of $400,000 each year, the study won't be completed for two more years.
DSD wildlife director Steven Atkinson said the government was looking at incorporating Inuit knowledge into the remaining research.
"We're looking at how we can get involved," said Atkinson, during last week's presentation on the study.
However, he said additional information would likely confirm their findings rather than proving them false. Part of the disagreement Atkinson said, stemmed from hunters who believed the number of bears hadn't changed -- they were simply moving North.
"It won't change the fact that there is a problem. It will refine our estimate, but not to the point where it's going to make a significant difference to what we're saying needs to be done in M'Clintock Channel," said Atkinson.
"The population is in a state where it needs to be recovered."
Atkinson said even with a moratorium, it would take the bear population 21 years to double in size.
No more Americans
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was made aware of the situation and under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, they banned American hunters from importing bear trophies into that country.
The move was devastating for the guides. An average of 14 sport hunts took place in the channel each year.
Minister Akesuk travelled to the three affected communities over the weekend in an attempt to develop a strategy to alleviate the hardship.
"We don't have any solutions right now. That's why we're going over there," said Akesuk Wednesday morning.
"We'll look into a long-term solution once the research is completed," he said.
Nunavut Tunngavik's wildlife advisor said he was surprised by the government's lack of planning to date.
Glenn Williams said it was up to the government to develop viable solutions to the problem.
"We're focusing on the population and the recovery of the bears. Probably the most important story is the impact on the communities," said Williams.
"The minister and the department have some responsibility to those communities for the loss of revenue."
Ben Kovic, the chair of the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, said the board planned to follow the matter closely and would re-evaluate the decision at the conclusion of the study.
"It's a very difficult situation," said Kovic.
