Neils Christensen
Northern News Services

Spence Bay (Oct 13/03) - Three hunters from Taloyoak will stand trial on charges under the Fisheries Act next month.

David Kokiak Peetooloot, David Tucktoo and Saul Piallaq Kooktook each face one count of hunting without a licence, killing a Narwhal without a tag and possession of a Narwhal tusk without a tag.

The charges stem from an investigation in the community two years ago.

In September 2001 the Department of Fisheries and Oceans travelled to Taloyoak to investigate allegations of narwhals being over-harvested.

The department received a complaint that 14 narwhals were harvested and the community had tags for only 10.

Christine Gagnon, the Crown prosecutor handling the case, said a number of factors have led to the two-year delay.

"We started the hearing in June, but because of some problems it was ad'jured to a later date," she said.

Part of the problem surrounding the case was that it was being heard in territorial court, which only sits every three months in Taloyoak.

"Every time the case was adjourned it would take another three months," said Gagnon.

After some delays with scheduling, the court date has finally been set for Nov. 24 in Taloyoak.