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PANGNIRTUNG - The Pangnirtung winter fishery came to an end last week, producing an impressive 239,000 pounds of turbot, nearly five times bigger than last year's catch of 48,000 pounds.

More importantly for the community of Pangnirtung, over $250,000 was paid out to 31 local fishers who took part this year, compared to nine fishers and a total payment of $52,000 in 2008.

The winter fishery has pumped over $250,000 into Pangnirtung, producing a catch almost five times as big as last year's. - photo courtesy of David Kilabuk

"Along with the actual fishermen, they all have their helper, so we're looking at around 60 people," said Hezakiah Oshutapik, chairman of the board of directors for Pangnirtung Fisheries Ltd., the Nunavut Development Corporation (NDC) subsidiary that processes the fish.

The average age among fishers was between 35 and 40.

"Quite a number of people who hadn't fished before went out because they heard the fishing was good," said Oshutapik.

In recent years, global warming and climate change have affected the degree to which the sea ice surrounding Pangnirtung has frozen, preventing fishers from venturing out to areas known for good returns.

"Everybody knows where the good fish is out there, but mother nature likes to play hardball," said Oshutapik.

This year was different.

"The ice froze solidly – and it stayed that way," said Brian Zawatski, business advisor for the development corporation.

Participants trekked out to areas not reached since the late 1980s and late 1990s, when the catch hit record proportions.

One year during the mid-90s, 800,000 pounds of fish were caught, according to Zawatski.

This year, the weekly catch peaked at 31,000 pounds for the week ending April 4.

As for why so many participated, Zawatski said, "What happens is a couple fishermen go out, people see how they're doing and then more join in."

"The economic impact on the community is significant," he added. "We're talking about a community of 1,364 people."

As a result of this year's catch, the Pangnirtung Fisheries plant employed between 35 to 40 people compared to 15 to 20 in 2008.

At the Pangnirtung Inuit Coop, sales have been strong over the last month due to the payouts, with items like electronics, washers, dryers, bedding and mattresses proving popular with customers, store manager Brad Amirault said.