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PANGNIRTUNG - Some small, bizarre-looking fish were the object of Pangnirtung's desire recently, with roughly 100 people out on the ice competing to catch the biggest one.

Sculpin, or kannajuk, are small, ornamentally-finned bottom-feeding fish and a traditional part of the Inuit diet, though less common than they used to be.

Larry Dialla jokingly kisses his sculpin catch near Pangnirtung. - photos courtesy of David Kilabuk

"Some elders still eat them," said recreation co-ordinator Peter Evic. "Whatever I brought back to the community, I announced it on the radio and there was a good turnout to get the kannajuk."

Speaking for himself, Evic was unenthusiastic about the taste of sculpin. He said sculpin were a frequent source of food when caribou or seal were unavailable. The shallow-water fish are easy to catch, making them an attractive meal if one is stranded on the land.

"If you get caught on the land in a storm, this is a good way to get food, this ugly little fish," he laughed.

Pangnirtung Hunters and Trappers Organization manager Jevua Maniapik was less reluctant to endorse a sculpin meal. She said the fish were good to eat frozen or cooked.

Pangnirtuurmiut young and old put their fishing lines on the ice for the community's half-serious ugly-fishing derby. There were cash prizes for the three longest fish in four categories. The first prizes for ages 13 and over went to Noah Metuq for the males and Pia Kisa for the females. For ages 12 and under, Brandon Kuluguqtuq won among males, May Akulukjuk among females.

The ugly-fishing derby is normally held each year as part of Pangnirtung's Christmas activities, but this year the weather was too nasty in December, so the event took place in mid-January.

During Christmas each community organization was responsible for organizing one activity. The fishing derby was organized by the Pangnirtung HTO, under the Department of Recreation which was co-ordinating all the Christmas activities.

"We're trying to connect with people so we shared the prized between the HTO and the recreation department," Evic said.