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PANNIQTUUQ/PANGNIRTUNG - Pangnirtung residents pitched in when a load of turbot for the local fish plant arrived after the freeze-up had already clogged the harbour with ice.

Small boats battled the conditions to meet the Saputi, which arrived bearing more than 100 tonnes of fish.

A boat bearing a load of turbot for the Pangnirtung Fisheries plant sits surrounded by ice outside the community earlier this month. The fish, which was purchased from the Baffin Fisheries Coalition, arrived after the ice had formed, making unloading difficult. - photo courtesy of David Kilabuk

"The captain told me it was the first time he ever had to get on the loudspeakers to clear the Ski-Doos out of the way," said plant manager Don Cunningham with a laugh.

Pangnirtung Fisheries has a contract with the Baffin Fisheries Coalition (BFC) for the annual supply of turbot.

This year was the latest the shipment has arrived yet.

"Basically they waited too long to bring the fish, and they also had a breakdown shortly before arriving. It made it really touch and go," Cunningham said.

BFC head Jerry Ward did not return calls for comment.

About a week before the ship arrived, former MLA Peter Kilabuk and local outfitter Joavee Alivaktuk began running their boats back and forth in the ice to keep a narrow channel open.

"It's way too important to the community to let anything get in the way," said Kilabuk, who previously served on the board of both Cumberland Fisheries and Pangnirtung Fisheries. "Next year I'll move rocks if I have to."

The plant also hired a local bulldozer to clear a path through the ice left ashore once the tide went out.

Since the community lacks a proper wharf, smaller boats then ran fish from the cargo-bearing vessel one pallet at a time. It was a harrowing and time-consuming process, according to Cunningham.

"They were running in darkness through ice, punching their way through chunks of ice. The path was so narrow they couldn't even pass in it. Not much room for error," he said. "You know, I don't think anything like this could have been pulled off down south, in -18 C weather. It's only the people who live here who are willing and able to work in conditions like that ... I think it's a real indication of how this community works together and supports the plant."

The load will keep about 30 full-time workers in business at the plant until next spring, according to Cunningham.

The plant could probably handle up to 15 more, but there are some difficulties attracting enough staff.

"We're really trying to bring in more younger employees and to hold them," he said.

Ideas being floated around are the possibility of a breakfast program for workers, or even a daycare for the children of women who would like to work during the day.