SA国际影视传媒淚 have been fishing for Arctic char as long as I can remember,SA国际影视传媒� begins Eric Hitkolok of Kuglugtuk during his presentation at the ArcticNet scientific meeting in Iqaluit on Dec 5.

HeSA国际影视传媒檚 been studying the general health of char and whitefish.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen I was younger, the char were very plentiful and healthy. Now, some of them are sick. I wanted to find out why some fish are sick, and if it is from warmer water temperatures or contaminants, including runoff from the dump, sewage decanting, gas contamination, or mines and exploration campsSA国际影视传媒�.[or] the dumping of heavy equipment that has ended up in S Lake that impedes fishing with nets in winter.

SA国际影视传媒淚 also wanted to learn about the impacts of snagging on Arctic char and if it can affect their spawning. In 2021, I received funding from Inuit Qaujisarnirmut Pilirijjutit to study the health of Arctic char in the Coppermine River and the area near Kugluktuk, Nunavut. Since 2021, I have been collecting tissue samples from Arctic char and whitefish to measure mercury and other contaminants.SA国际影视传媒�

Hitkolok then points to a chart of a mercury study he conducted with water samples heSA国际影视传媒檚 pictured taking that were then submitted to the University of Waterloo for analysis.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is the level that is important for people in my community,SA国际影视传媒� he emphasizes, tapping the lower end of the chart consisting of green dots. SA国际影视传媒淲e learned there are lower levels of mercury [here],SA国际影视传媒� but looking at another area of Kuglugtuk and samples taken from there, SA国际影视传媒渨e found high coliform levels in Dump Creek.SA国际影视传媒�

The very name SA国际影视传媒楧ump CreekSA国际影视传媒� is indicative of the human behaviours causing these problems that are being tackled by community leaders and scientists like Hitkolok.

SA国际影视传媒淚 have also collected otolithsSA国际影视传媒�, or ear-bones of char, SA国际影视传媒渢o look at the age of fish and see if age is related to contaminants. I have collected water samples to measure contaminants, gas, and bacteria to see if the water is impacting the health of the fish,SA国际影视传媒� said Hitkolok, who pointed to a photo and illustration of what was once a commonly used fishing spot in the community.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is the first time I have ever seen this part of the river dry,SA国际影视传媒� he comments.

SA国际影视传媒淚 have collected fish that have been snagged or are sick and submitted them to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative in Guelph for necropsies,SA国际影视传媒� he continued, showing slides of fish he said he finds in increasing numbers either injured from SA国际影视传媒渟naggingSA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒� being temporarily caught in lines or nets SA国际影视传媒� bruised or infected with illnesses undetectable until the fish is examined internally.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is the last year for my funding,SA国际影视传媒� concludes Hitkolok, who said he plans to present his overall findings in the future. SA国际影视传媒淭he results will be important for the people of my community, because Arctic char is abundant year-round and is one of the main food sources.SA国际影视传媒�

Should other financial support be secured, Hitkolok hopes to continue measuring water samples, levels of contaminants and fish injuries and illnesses in the years ahead.