Turbot fishery offers new jobs for communities
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Mar 26/01) - Jobs, jobs and more jobs -- that's what a new turbot fishery could mean to residents of Central and North Baffin communities.
The influx of that work and the dollars the employment would bring is a big deal, especially given that the communities closest to where the new turbot fishery is slated to get under way -- Qikiqtarjuaq and Clyde River -- are those that missed out on jobs from government decentralization.
James Arreak, the manager of the Clyde River hunters and trappers association, said he was looking forward to the possibility of jobs in the new fishery.
He said a turbot venture could result in as many as 15-20 seasonal fishing positions in his community alone.
The HTA is considering building their own processing facility, but plans are still in the discussion phases.
"If it's feasible, we are looking at building a facility," said Arreak. "That's one of the things the (HTA) is talking about."
Quotas to be allocated
Before plans can be finalized, communities need to know how much of the 2,000 metric tonne quota they will get.
Ben Kovic, chair of the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, said the board discussed quotas during a board meeting in Iqaluit last week.
More fish are possible if Greenland gives Nunavut a share of its quota.
Prospects of the new fishery have birthright corporations discussing getting a boat for all of Nunavut's turbot fishers.
Now, much of Cumberland Sound's 2,500 metric tonne turbot quota is sold to southern fishing vessels.
Peter Keenainak, the manager of marine development for the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, said the Baffin birthright organization said a joint venture is possible with HTAs.
That's a sentiment echoed by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI).
"If we were to consolidate the Nunavut quota, everybody could go together on one offshore boat.
"The fishing industry hasn't done that yet," added Glenn Williams, wildlife advisor for NTI.
