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NUNAVUT - Fisheries groups in Nunavut are remaining tight-lipped until a final decision is made concerning this year’s quota allocations for turbot.

Several parties, including the Arctic Fishery Alliance, the Baffin Fisheries Coalition, Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and Pangnirtung Fisheries, the Nunavut Development Corporation and Cumberland Sound Fisheries, have requested a quota this year.

Arctic Fisheries Alliance spokesperson Lootie Toomasie said he would not comment on the quota allocations until a final decision is made. - NNSL file photo

All four groups were turned down in preliminary recommendations from the advisory committee to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.

Ray Andrews, the advisory committee chair, said the preliminary recommendations were made in light of the new allocation policy.

“The point is that this is the first time ever the allocation of the fish resource in Nunavut has been done through this process,” he said. “This is our first time doing this so that’s why we thought it was important to go back (to the groups for more information).

Andrews said there were still details that needed to be fleshed out by the various applicants.

“We, to the best of our ability, decide on some preliminary recommendations because we realize in doing this analysis, you don’t always get all of the questions answered in some of the proposals,” he said.

Each organization is now in the process of making an appeal, though which it can address the questions and concerns raised by the committee.

Last week, Lootie Toomasie, the main spokesperson for the Arctic Fisheries Alliance, said he would not comment on matters relating to quota allocations until the appeal process is over and the minister of Fisheries and Oceans makes a final decision.

Likewise, Jerry Ward, CEO of the Baffin Fisheries Coalition, said he would be willing to discuss quota allocations once they are finalized.

He said due to the change in policy, the process for getting allocations approved is new ground for everyone involved.

“The advisory committee is just that – it’s something completely new to Nunavut,” said Ward.

With the summer turbot fishing season approaching, the advisory committee plans to present its final recommendation to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board in the near future.

Once the appeals are in, “we will very quickly then do a further analysis and assessment and we will go back to the board with our final recommendation,” said Andrews.