Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 17, 2007

PELLY BAY - Kugaaruk will conduct the next bowhead whale hunt.

The hamlet was chosen out of seven by Nunavut's Wildlife Policy Advisory Committee to harvest the whale in August or September 2008.

News that their application had been chosen has only begun to sink in with the local Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO), according to manager Ema Qaggutaq.

"It's a big hunt, a big task," he said, adding that a new committee will be formed in the new year to focus on the preparations.

Bowheads are frequently sighted in the area, and their bones still litter the shore from centuries past. But the hunt will be a completely new experience for most residents, according to Qaggutaq.

"I don't know if any of the older people have even witnessed a bowhead hunt," he said.

Nunavut's last hunt took place in Repulse Bay in August 2005, when that community harvested a 54-ton bowhead.

Repulse previously harvested one in 1996, while others were landed in Pangnirtung (1998), Coral Harbour (2000) and Iglulik (2002).

If Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) gets its wish, however, the hunt will become much more frequent.

NTI made a request that Inuit be allowed to conduct up to three hunts a year - one in each region - to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, according to NTI consultant Glenn Williams. The hope is for the territory to host two hunts in 2008, and progress to three in 2009, he said.

One of the challenges to mounting hunts of this size is the amount of specialized equipment that it requires.

While communities are responsible for their own hunt plans and distribution, NTI does provide support in the form of equipment and training.

As required by their licence, hunt teams must ensure they have proper harpoons, lines and floats, as well as an explosive killing device to ensure an efficient kill.

The community must nominate a specific whaling crew and captain as well.

"But the real work starts once you catch the animal," Williams said.

A site needs to be selected to process the animal, and the hamlet will need flensing equipment and a plan to distribute the meat.

Kugaaruk Mayor Canute Krejunark said he hopes the whole community will pitch in to help fundraise for the hunt, as well as co-operate with surrounding communities when the time comes to harvest the animal and distribute the meat.

"People will have to work together," he said.