As a test fishery in Gjoa Haven approaches its fifth and final year, James Qitsualik is envisioning a commercial enterprise for Arctic char that could surpass the operation at Kitikmeot Foods in Cambridge Bay.
SA国际影视传媒淭he abundance of char is incredible,SA国际影视传媒� said Qitsualik, chair of the Gjoa Haven Hunters and Trappers Association, who added that whitefish stocks are also ample. SA国际影视传媒淲e know the fish are there. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 just a matter of time, of waiting, and getting the exact numbers, starting it up and being able to maintain commercial fisheriesSA国际影视传媒� If everything goes according to plan, hopefully we can start a fish plant here in town.SA国际影视传媒�
Such a venture would provide an economic boost to the community, Qitsualik said.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e so limited for resources and employment up here so anything we can create is a plus. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e always pushing to find anything we can possibly do to create employment, even if itSA国际影视传媒檚 seasonal employment,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Gjoa Haven Mayor Joanni Sallerina shares QitsualikSA国际影视传媒檚 enthusiasm.
SA国际影视传媒淭hat would really benefit people who go out on the land,SA国际影视传媒� Sallerina said, adding that a fish plant SA国际影视传媒渨ould be really ideal.SA国际影视传媒�
The community already has a standing commercial quota, but Qitsualik said he hopes to see that increased.
SA国际影视传媒淥ur old quotas are like 20 years old. They need to be updated,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hose test fisheries will prove the numbers we were saying. ISA国际影视传媒檓 expecting an increase in quotas in all our commercial fishing lakes.SA国际影视传媒�
Although the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) isnSA国际影视传媒檛 a partner in the project, it is acting in an advisory capacity.
SA国际影视传媒淚f it is determined through (the) process outlined in the New Emerging Fisheries Policy that a commercial fishery is feasible and sustainable in Gjoa Haven, quotas or any other fisheries management regimes would go through the decision-making process as outlined in the Nunavut Agreement,SA国际影视传媒� said DFO spokesperson Michael Niziol. SA国际影视传媒淔isheries management decisions are made in consideration of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and using the best available science.SA国际影视传媒�
Multiple phone messages left with various Nunavut Wildlife Management Board staff were not returned.
Through the Towards a Sustainable Fishery for Nunavut (TSFN) program SA国际影视传媒� a partnership between communities and university researchers SA国际影视传媒� Gjoa Haven harvesters have been netting 200 char from each of three test fishery sites per year. The approximate 3,000 kilograms of fish annually has been distributed to community members. Providing healthy local foods is one of the objectives of TSFN.
The program also includes a rigourous scientific component that involves the study of the health and genetics of the fish as well as contaminants in the local environment.
In addition to Gjoa Haven, the DFO has issued exploratory licences SA国际影视传媒� to help determine the feasibility of commercial fisheries SA国际影视传媒� in Iqaluit, Taloyoak, Cape Dorset and Qikiqtarjuaq over the past year.
