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Fisheries

Our Division aims to promote sustainable harvest and maximum benefits for Nunavummiut through leadership, advocacy, and collaborative partnerships.

As a renewable resource, fisheries carry a tremendous potential for creating sustainable economic growth and increasing employment opportunities for Nunavummiut. The sector is diverse and includes both inshore and offshore commercial operations in addition to local subsistence fishing. Each provides significant contributions to Nunavut’s economy as well as positively impacting families and businesses across the territory.

 The Division’s main roles as they relate to fisheries are to:

  • Provide funding for the diversification, development, and marketing of Nunavut fisheries.
  • Support local community fisheries.
  • Represent and advocate for Nunavut’s fishing industry both nationally and internationally.
  • Support inshore and offshore development that is sustainable and ethical.

OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT

Making Offshore a Priority

The offshore fishing sector is made up of the companies and vessels harvesting turbot and shrimp in Nunavut’s adjacent waters, outside of the Nunavut Settlement Area (NSA). The current offshore quota holders in Nunavut are Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC), Arctic Fisheries Alliance (AFA), Baffin Fisheries (BF), and Cumberland Sound Fisheries (CSF), and these companies are represented by the Nunavut Fisheries Association (NFA). Commercial fisheries play a significant role in Nunavut’s overall economy and create employment opportunities in many communities. Development of the offshore industry is a priority within the GN, as the repatriation of fisheries licenses and purchase of additional fishing quota is identified as a means to strengthen Nunavut’s economy. The Division will continue to support Nunavut’s offshore fisheries through strong and consistent advocacy for the sustainable increases of Nunavut’s offshore quota allocation and equitable support of the sector from federal partners.

INSHORE DEVELOPMENT

Nunavut’s inshore fisheries play an essential role at the community level in supporting traditions and culture while contributing to food security and providing jobs to Nunavummiut.

Commercial, Exploratory, and Subsistence Fisheries

Nunavut’s inshore fisheries refer to the commercial, exploratory, and subsistence fisheries taking place within the Nunavut Settlement Area (NSA) and include both freshwater fisheries as well as marine fisheries in lakes, rivers, and inshore marine areas. The focus of inshore fisheries is mostly Arctic Char (char), but also includes other species of finfish, echinoderms, and shellfish. Nunavut’s inshore fisheries play an essential role at the community level in supporting traditions and culture while contributing to food security and providing jobs to Nunavummiut. Their development and management are a collaborative effort across government, Inuit organizations, and communities, with local Hunters and Trappers Organizations (HTOs) playing a large role by providing day to day support to fishers and acting as their voice when working with other co-management partners. Many inshore fisheries have been commercialized through the establishment of communitybased processing plants such as Kivalliq Arctic Foods, Kitikmeot Foods, and Pangnirtung Fisheries ltd., creating business, employment, and training opportunities for Nunavummiut. The Division provides support for inshore fisheries by administering funding programs, working collaboratively towards the development of Nunavut-specific fisheries regulations, and identifying and facilitating opportunities for inshore development that is informed by and aligned with community goals.

Education and Training

Creating opportunities to provide training for Nunavummiut is an important priority for EDT and has been identified as a key action in supporting the development of local economies by the GN. With nearly 10,000 youth coming of age to enter the workforce in the next ten years, an increased awareness of available career opportunities and training for employment in various sectors will be needed. The Division supports the development and delivery of fisheries related training through funding programs and partnerships with key stakeholders. A coordinated awareness campaign of current and new opportunities and career options within the fisheries sector is needed to attract youth towards these types of careers and to facilitate long-term growth.

Knowledge Sharing - Sharing New and Old Traditions

The collection of scientific data, IQ, and modern local knowledge on Nunavut’s aquatic resources is crucial to their sustainable management. The Division is one of many organizations that supports fisheries and sealing related research within the territory through funding programs and academic partnerships. While there is much to be learned from the research being done in Nunavut’s waters, improvements in data accessibility and the communication of study results are needed for Nunavummiut to fully benefit.

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