Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 14, 2008

SANIRAJAK/HALL BEACH - Hall Beach hunters will use their experience from past expeditions in this year's bowhead hunt, according to Levi Kaunak of the local hunters and trappers association (HTA).

"We're learning from our mistakes and things that we didn't do so well. We will use that knowledge in the hunt," he said.

The community was chosen in June as the site of the second bowhead hunt this year, to take place this month.

This will be the third bowhead hunt for Kaunak, who participated in the inaugural catch held in Repulse in 1996, and the combined Iglulik and Hall Beach expedition in 2004.

About seven others on the current team have already been on bowhead catches, he said.

"In 1996, we were not quite successful and the bowhead sank. We had to wait for three days for it to surface. The next was very successful and we did a good job," he said.

Two captains have been chosen and the group will meet again next week to discuss plans.

Kugaaruk was previously chosen to host a hunt, which will take place in early fall.

The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board requested a second hunt earlier this year, bolstered by new studies which indicated the number of bowhead whales was much higher than previously believed.

According to the latest Department of Fisheries and Oceans studies, up to 18 bowhead whales could be safely culled each year, including whales killed by accidents such as net entanglements and boat collisions.

The request for additional quota was approved by Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn in May.

Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI), which is supporting the hunts with equipment, would eventually like to see the hunts increased to one in each region a year, according to Gabriel Nirlungayuk, director of wildlife for NTI.

"We know we could hunt more, but we're also cognizant of international issues so we are taking it slow. Do we need to hunt 50, like the Alaskans? No, I don't think so. But the numbers are strong," he said.

Hall Beach is anticipating a number of visitors when the hunt takes place, according to Kaunak.

"Everybody is pleased and everybody is looking forward to the hunt. People are talking about it through CB and local radio," he said. "Local people will be planning some special activities for after the hunt."

A number of residents from Hall Beach and nearby communities have also volunteered to help with the butchering.

"We're going to try to ask some communities if they want maktaaq, or whichever part they want," Kaunak said.

Preparations are continuing in Kugaaruk as well, where about a dozen hunters will set out for a bowhead in late August or early September.

Training on the use of the explosive device and lances will take place sometime in July, according to Ema Qaggutaq, chair of the Kugaaruk HTA. The hamlet is also expecting a number of visitors.

"Other communities are invited to watch the hunt and help with the butchering and flensing," he said. "We had some people from Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak wanting to come over for the hunt."

Last year the community spotted a number bowheads in August and early fall.

"There was quite a bit of ice-free water, and people reported some sightings. There was one time when people saw 12 in one day in late September," Qaggutaq said.