KIVALLIQ - Differing opinions on polar bear populations are reaching the point where civil disobedience may soon play a part in the battle.

Members of the Kivalliq Wildlife Board (KWB) are upset over the Government of Nunavut's (GN) decision to lower the polar bear quota for 2008-09 to eight bears in the Western Hudson Bay area.

The Nunavut government's decision to lower the polar bear quota to eight in the Western Hudson Bear area in 2008-09 is not sitting well with members of the Kivalliq Wildlife Board. - NNSL file photo

The traditional quota was 56 bears divided among Rankin Inlet, Arviat, Whale Cove, Chesterfield Inlet and Baker Lake.

That was reduced to 38 during the 2007-08 season.

The KWB does not believe the GN conducted proper research on the bear population.

Nor does it believe the GN is taking any of its recommendations seriously.

Stanley Adjuk is president of the Whale Cove Hunters and Trappers Organization and treasurer for the KWB.

Adjuk said he is against this year's quota.

He said the GN's study was done in just three days and was not complete.

"The quota should, at least, have stayed the same as last year because the survey wasn't done right," said Adjuk.

"The GN is guessing how many bears are out there and it's guessing wrong."

The KWB also opposes the Foxe Basin Polar Bear Project, which would have 200 bears immobilized and fitted with experimental radio frequency ear tags, and upwards of 30 more outfitted with GPS satellite collars.

The KWB lists among its concerns an excessively high number of bears being immobilized, the loss of an Inuit food source through the contamination of meat, and inexperienced crews dramatically increasing the risk of losing bears to drowning.

Adjuk, 39, said the tagging application is flawed and the chemicals used to immobilize the bears spoils the meat for eating for a year.

He said if project head Dr. Elizabeth Peacock tags the number of bears she wants, a large number will be taken out of circulation.

"This is our food they're playing with.

"A quota of eight will most likely be taken up just by self-defence kills.

"You add an almost non-existent quota to the tagging project and a lot of people who depend on polar bear hunting are going to be doing without.

"We won't be distributing anything to hunters because there won't be anything to distribute."

Adjuk said he's frustrated by the GN's refusal to listen to Inuit hunters and elders.

He said he's seen nothing to show the GN is taking anything Inuit say seriously.

"Every time we suggest something, they (the GN) go the opposite way and listen to other governments rather than their own people.

"The GN made up its mind a year ago and it's sticking with it no matter what we say."

Adjuk said the GN should leave the Foxe Basin bear population alone.

He said the GN is listening to so-called scientists, but the real scientists are Inuit who grew up with the animals.

"Our elders grew up with the animals, and we grew up listening to them tell us what they know, so you tell me who the real scientists are."

Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) president Jose Kusugak has a dim view of past government attempts to gauge wildlife numbers, both on land and in water.

Kusugak said anyone who looks at historical correctness could come to the conclusion polar bear numbers are increasing because Inuit harvesters, who are consistently right in determining correct numbers, say they are.

He said there is a balance between harvesting versus eco-tourism sustainability.

"Inuit include polar bear meat as a special part of their diet," said Kusugak.

"They are often a seasonal diet and the skin is either as ingurik, aalliaq or annuraaq - best for durability and warmness.

"Hunting polar bear is also considered as a right of passage to a real hunter for many Inuit youth."

Kusugak said because Inuit harvesters and researchers say the number of polar bears are increasing, there must be a plan put in place to protest the decrease in Nunavut quotas.

Words, he said, will not work.

"There must be civil disobedience to make a tangible case that Inuit believe on the side of angels that the polar bear is not in danger of being hunted to extinction.

"Inuit must also make it clear the polar bear is not to be conserved just for the eyes of tourists, but for the stomachs of Inuit and others."

Kusugak has spoken about civil disobedience to both the KIA and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc, (NTI).

He said he has been asked to be the conductor of a plan of civil disobedience and he has no problem with that.

"There must be a plan of defending individuals who hunt beyond the quota from the law.

"We have to organize so the individuals who take part can speak, are not tied to a family and can spend time behind bars, if necessary.

"If NTI and Inuit harvesters are right, they must be ready to fight for that right as Inuit will still need clothing, ingurik and meat to eat.

"We often say hunters and trappers organizations are our lifeline, so let's side with them and defend the right to harvest sustainable numbers."