NUNAVUT - A trade ban on narwhal tusks imposed on 17 Nunavut communities by the federal government should be reversed, said Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.

Gabriel Nirlungayuk: NTI director of wildlife says DFO has not explained its decision to Inuit. - NNSL file photo

NTI stated it was notified of the decision several weeks ago that the federal government will only issue export permits under the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) for narwhal tusks harvested from Kugaaruk, Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, Iglulik and Pond Inlet.

Export permits will not be issued for tusks harvested from Grise Fiord, Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay, Clyde River, Qikiqtarjuaq, Pangnirtung, Iqaluit, Kimmirut, Cape Dorset, Coral Harbour, Repulse Bay, Hall Beach, Chesterfield Inlet, Rankin Inlet, Whale Cove, Arviat and Sanikiluaq.

The land claims organization would like the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to explain itself, as Inuit would like the opportunity to discuss some of the findings and talk about what they see on the ground, said Gabriel Nirlungayuk, NTI's director of wildlife.

"On one hand, they're saying that the population is healthy but when it came to summering stocks, some of these areas were over-harvested," he said. "We don't really know what that means. They haven't come up to NTI or to Inuit or to Nunavut to explain what their conclusions were. What it means is that these guys will no longer be able to trade their tusks outside of Canada and try and offset some of their expenses."

A tusk, he added, only found on male narwhals, sells for about $100 to $150 a foot.

Newly-elected NTI president Cathy Towtongie called on the federal government to reverse its decision, arguing Inuit were not consulted prior to making the decision and DFO's actions violate Inuit harvesting rights as set out in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

"DFO does not have the right to impose such restrictions upon Inuit, particularly when the population is thriving and harvest numbers do not threaten the species," stated Towtongie in a press release. "NTI is considering legal options at this time."

The narwhal population is estimated to be 80,000, according to DFO information, adding it has "conservation concerns" for animals in certain areas. In 2009, 594 narwhals were harvested, it adds.

DFO did not comment by press time.

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