Dispute over herd harvest
NTI, government at odds over Southampton Island caribou
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, May 28, 2014
RANKIN/SOUTHAMPTON ISLAND
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) is asking for people to understand it fully supports conservation, and the numbers representing an Inuit basic needs level and a total allowable harvest are two very different things.
Although relatively strong across the majority of the Kivalliq, caribou numbers within the Southampton Island herd have dropped dramatically during the past 17 years. - photo courtesy Arviat Community Ecotourism project |
The issue stems from a dispute between NTI and the Government of Nunavut over the basic needs level (BNL) of caribou able to be harvested annually from the Southampton Island herd.
Herd numbers have fallen dramatically during the past 17 years, dropping to slightly more than 7,000 animals in 2013 from more than 30,000 in 1997.
The Nunavut government is asking the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board to reduce the total allowable harvest of 1,000, established in 2012, down to 800 for the Southampton herd.
Based on a harvest study conducted more than a decade ago by the board, NTI is asking the Inuit basic needs level to be set at 4,325 annually, while the territorial government wants the number set much lower at 1,906. The board is set to hold hearings in Coral Harbour concerning the issues this coming week.
Things intensified this past week when NTI claimed the Nunavut government is breaching the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement by requesting a lower basic needs level than itself.
The organization threatened legal action if the territorial government does not change its stance. NTI director of wildlife Gabriel Nirlungayuk said he hopes things don't go that far. Nirlungayuk said the territorial government's argument is, basically, it doesn't want the number of caribou commercially harvested to be included in the basic needs level. He said the territorial government must remember Inuit have the right to eat, barter, trade, sell or give away harvested caribou.
"We have that right, so we have to include everything in the (basic needs level)," said Nirlungayuk.
"We disagree that setting the (needs level) at 4,325 is not a good conservation practice because, although the basic needs and total allowable harvest are linked, they are totally different."
The board sets the needs limit after first deciding on an allowable harvest number.
"A (total allowable harvest) will set a limitation on Inuit harvesting rights, which we're bound by and must adhere to," said Nirlungayuk.
"We might disagree with it, but, once it's the law, we have to follow it."
Nirlungayuk said if the BNL is set at the territorial government's number, it doesn't present an accurate picture of Inuit needs when herd numbers are high.
He said NTI had absolutely no objection when total allowable harvest was set at 1,000 in 2012.
"We agreed it was a conservation concern, and now they want to lower the TAH to 800, which the Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO) supports, and we have no qualms with that.
"The argument, for us, is it's a basic Inuit right to set the BNL at a number supported by our legal documentation from a five-year study.
"The (territorial government) suggests NTI wants to set the annual TAH at 4,325 and that's not even close to what we're suggesting."
Nirlungayuk said even with a quota of 1,000 for the Southampton herd, Inuit still have the right to dispose of that number how they see fit.
He said those caribou will be used for eating, but, if Inuit were to choose to sell, barter, trade or give away a portion of the 1,000, it would still be their right to do so and that shows commercial activity, when the herd is strong, must be included in the (basic needs level).
"Once the (allowable harvest) is set, tags will be issued and I believe the HTO has set the number of tags at four or five per household.
"And that, also, is within their rights to allocate those numbers as they see fit.
"Once the (board) sets a basic needs level for Southampton Island caribou - and other communities harvest in that area once in awhile too - it's set for life.
"So, hypothetically, at NTI's number, if the Southampton Island herd rebounds to 16,000 animals, only 4,325 would go to Inuit."
Nirlungayuk said the board will give a confidential decision to Johnny Mike, minister of Environment, after it hears all the arguments and discusses the issues.
He said the minister has 30 days, although he may ask for an extension, to decide whether to accept, vary or reject the decision.
"The minister's decision remains confidential and is sent back the (board).
"Then the (board) responds back to the minister within 30 days.
"If the response is favourable it's accepted, but, if it's not favourable, we may have a problem.
"Hopefully, we don't get there."
The minister of environment couldn't be reached by press time.
