Yellowknife (Sep 18/06) - The government may start counting the number of caribou harvested by First Nations and Inuvialuit as a way to try to stem a shocking decline in herd sizes.

The warning came from environment minister Michael Miltenberger last week after his department released new survey results.

According to 2006 survey numbers, Cape Bathurst, Bluenose West and Bluenose East caribou herds are in further decline. Skepticism of the 2005 Environment and Natural Resource survey numbers of the Cape Bathurst, Bluenose West and Bluenose East herds caused Miltenberger to order a recount.

Numbers released by the government in 2005, pegged the Cape Bathurst herd at 2,400 animals, down from 17,500 in 1992. The Bluenose West herd declined from 98,900 in 1987 to 20,800, and Bluenose East were down to 66,600 from 104,000 in 2000.

A count done in July 2006 shows Cape Bathurst now at just 1,800 caribou, 18,000 for Bluenose West and 66,200 for Bluenose East.

"These (2006) surveys have confirmed the trends we found last year," said Ray Case, ENR Technical Support Manager. "And I think the herd of most concern is the Cape Bathurst that has declined more rapidly than we anticipated."

Armed with the survey, ministry officials met with the Wildlife Management Advisory Council in Inuvik two weeks ago.

WMAC has identified some additional measures for the herd although those measures are not known at this time. Meetings with the Gwich'in wrapped up last week and this week the ministry will consult with hunters and wildlife agencies in the Sahtu.

According to Miltenberger, one possible step is to monitor the aboriginal hunt, which takes between 11,000 and 20,000 caribou annually.

"Possible options being considered are further restrictions," said Miltenberger. "The continued drop in numbers is of grave concern and while there are lots of factors the single biggest human factor is the harvesting.

"The one unmonitored piece (of the harvest) is the aboriginal hunt (so) we have to sit down and talk about how we monitor and regulate the whole harvest so we can control that impact."

Last year, resident non-aboriginal hunters saw their tag limits reduced from five to two and the taking of cows (females) was outlawed.

Measures taken in the Inuvialuit settlement regions went even further closing the hunt to resident non-aboriginal and big game hunters. As well, the commercial hunt was closed leaving traditional sustenance hunting as the only allowable caribou harvesting in the region.

When News/North contacted the Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee, president Sammy Lennie refused to comment on the matter until he meets with his board. Calls to Norm Snowshoe, acting manager of lands and resources implementation for the Gwich'in Tribal Council were not returned.

Joyce Rabesca, owner of Ekwo Lodge in Rae, said she's waiting for Bathurst caribou herd numbers, to be released this week.

According to Rabesca, the Bathurst is the primary herd outfitters located in the central region of the NWT depend on. "I think that the important thing is recognizing there's a decline and all of us pulling together to implement conservation measures," she said.

"Outfitters have to do it, resident hunters and traditional hunters, as well."