Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Oct 09/00) - Kitikmeot Foods has weighed in its summer commercial fishing catch and it was a solid season.

"We had a good season with absolutely no problems," said the manager of the Cambridge Bay-based business Gary Connors.

The process weight of the summer catch was about 40,000 kilograms of arctic char, which was similar to last year's catch.

Much of the char is headed for southern Canadian destinations like Edmonton, Vancouver and Toronto as well as Yellowknife.

Kitikmeot Foods -- a Nunavut Development Corporation company -- is also looking to the U.S.

"We're trying to negotiate with a buyer in Boston," he said.

Just under half the catch was weir-caught, as opposed to net. Weir-caught fish, which are channelled to a collection area, can gain an edge in the marketplace because their flesh has not been bruised by nets.

The char, caught from five rivers within a 100-kilometre radius of Cambridge Bay, is not only sold whole or in fillets, it is also processed into jerky at the plant.

About 25 people were hired to process the catch.

Last week, fish was being cut into fillets and sliced for cold-smoked char. About 10 fishers were employed.

It is anticipated the next processing work at Kitikmeot Foods will be muskox.

As of last week, it was not known if Kitikmeot Foods would be co-ordinating the annual muskox hunt or if Cambridge Bay's Ekaluktutiak Hunters and Trappers Association would be taking the lead.

Earlier this year, Kitikmeot Foods co-ordinated the hunt where about 260 muskoxen were taken.

Connors, who jointed Kitikmeot Foods in June, says the plant is aiming for European Union certification in the short-term.

This designation -- Keewatin Meat and Fish plant in Rankin Inlet was EU certified earlier this year -- will open up a new big market for Kitikmeot muskox.

"It's a major challenge."