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The hunt for caribou numbers

Daniel T'seleie
Northern News Services

Coral Harbour (Aug 29/05) - A June survey of caribou populations on Southampton island will determine whether the current level of commercial harvesting is sustainable.

It is known that caribou populations on the island have declined in the last decade, but what that means for the harvest isn't known yet.

"The decline is good news," said Kivalliq regional wildlife biologist Mitch Campbell. "It does not mean the caribou are disappearing."

In 1997, 30 years after caribou were re-introduced to the island, the population had grown to about 30,000 animals, the estimated maximum number the islands ecosystem can support.

An increase of the commercial harvest of caribou was the solution to the booming population.

In the next six years more than 30,000 animals were harvested for domestic and commercial use, 18,500 commercially and 14,000 domestically.

"That's a lot of animals, and that's what we believe directly caused the decline," Campbell said.

The 2003 population survey estimated 18,000 animals remained on the island, which is close to ideal population size for the island, set at about 15,000.

Since then, 11,000 animals have been harvested. In 2004, the hunters harvested 3,200 caribou for commercial use.

Data from the June survey has not yet been analyzed or checked for errors, but Campbell is optimistic about the herd.

"This could change, but from the observations made during the survey it seems the population levels have changed little since 2003," he said.

Valuable resource

Campbell is quick to point out there is not a conservation issue on the island. He wants to make sure the increased commercial harvesting levels since 1997 will not affect the future of subsistence hunting.

"That is my top priority. I want to make sure people can put meat on the table," he said.

He estimates $10 million worth of caribou is eaten each year in the Kivalliq region alone.

Hunting and cultural practices associated with caribou are important to preserve as well, he said.

"You can't put a dollar value on that."

He expects to be done checking the survey data by the first week in September. The Aiviit Hunters and Trappers Association in Coral Harbour will be the first to receive a copy of the results.

Funding for the survey came as a result of the Agricultural Policy Framework Initiative, an agreement signed between the federal and territorial governments.

Campbell said without this money a survey on this resource would never have been done.

"Caribou's the best meat on the planet, bar none," he said.