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Polar bear quota boost possible Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board is suggesting an increase of 44 tags
Miranda Scotland
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 16, 2013
KIVALLIQ
The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) is considering increasing the number of polar bears Nunavummiut are allowed to harvest from the Foxe Basin subpopulation, following a public hearing held last week in Iqaluit.
The Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board has requested that the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board review the annual quota for polar bears in Foxe Basin. A hearing was held at the Frobisher Inn in Iqaluit Sept. 10 and 11 to discuss the topic. |
The animal's population has grown in recent years and is currently considered to be stable and healthy.
An aerial survey in Foxe Basin last summer estimated the number of bears is at 2,580, up from 2,300 in 1994.
The Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board (QWB) had requested the NWMB review the total allowable harvest in response to concerns raised by the Hall Beach Hunters and Trappers Association (HTA) and Igloolik Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO).
The two communities over-harvested during the 2012-2013 season because a high number of defence kills had to be made.
In Hall Beach hunters killed six females by December 2012, two more than allowed.
Iglulik also destroyed more females than they were allotted.
Nunavut encourages a male-biased harvest.
As a result, the GN was considering placing Hall Beach and Iglulik under a three-year polar bear moratorium.
The QWB is suggesting an increase of 44 tags and that Iglulik and Hall Beach receive a share.
The current annual quota for the area is 106.
Parties close to the issue met at the Frobisher Inn Sept. 10 and 11 to discuss the request.
James Eetoolook of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) said he is behind an increase in the total allowable harvest.
"The world won't end tomorrow if the quota is increased," Eetoolook said during the hearing.
"We have to think of the Inuit."
Environment Canada agreed the quota could be upped based on the new population estimate.
"A small increase in harvest could be considered sustainable provided the combined take by Nunavut and Quebec does not exceed 120 bears per year, that the sex-selective harvest regime is followed, and that the flexible quota system is always applied," stated Sue Milburn-Hopwood, director general of the Canadian Wildlife Service, in a written submission to the NWMB.
The Arviq HTO and the Aqigiq HTA also supported an increase, while the World Wildlife Fund asked the board to deny the request.
Foxe Basin residents are in a tough spot, said James Qillaq, chairperson of the QWB.
With the bear population growing, there are more and more coming into the communities and that means more defence kills, "Because people's lives are more important," he said during the hearing.
This means the communities end up going over their quota and are subsequently punished for it, he added.
All the parties agreed that, going forward, the polar bear management system must take public safety into consideration and that the Inuit experience must be given appropriate weight when addressing this topic.
They also came to a consensus that the total allowable levels should take into account Nunavik.
Over the past 25 years, hunters from the region have harvested between zero and 17 bears, according to Makivik Corporation.
There is no set date for when the NWMB might announce their decision on the request of an increase in the total allowable harvest.
If they vote in favour, a recommendation will be made to the minister of Environment who will then choose whether or not to follow it.
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