Submission to The

SUBMISSION TO THE

NUNAVUT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT BOARD

FOR

Information: Decision: X

Issue: Bathurst Inlet Emerging Char Fishery Application

Background:

The Burnside Hunters and Trappers Organization (HTO) have requested exploratory licences for Burnside Bay (also known as Swan Lake), Huikitak River, and Burnside River within the Bathurst Inlet area. The HTO has been working closely with Boyd Warner of Bathurst Inlet Lodge Ltd. for the logistical planning associated with the development of these fisheries. Both parties have previously held exploratory licences for the three waterbodies of interest (Table 1).

According to the applications and previous correspondence with the applicants there is currently very little subsistence fishing that takes place at the waterbodies of interest. However, past information has indicated that Arctic Char in the Hiukitak River were previously harvested by both Bathurst Inlet and Umingmaktok residents. Previous correspondence with the applicants has also indicated that they are not looking at a “huge scale operation” and that “likely 10,000 lbs [4536 kg] would make things feasible.”

Table 1- Burnside Bay, Huikitak River, and Burnside River Licencing History.

Maximum Previous Years Licences Were Waterbody Coordinates Exploratory Previously Issued Harvest Level (kg) Burnside Bay/Swan 66°47’N 2000 1989/90-1991/92, Lake (CB 177) 108°10’W 1993/94, 2003/04 Hiukitak River (CB163) 67°08’N 2000 1988/89, 1989/90, 107°10’W 2003/04 Burnside River 66°50’N 2000 1984/85, 1985/86, (CB158) 108°10’W 1988/89-1990/91, 2003/04

Burnside Bay/Swan Lake (66°47’N 108°10’W); Hiukitak River (67°08’N 107°10’W); & Burnside River (66°50’N 108°10’W): Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) - Science advice remains unchanged from 2003/04 for these waterbodies. There is no new information for science to consider. To date these waterbodies have not been fished in 5 or more years. These waterbodies would remain

in the 1st year of the 5-year approach. These populations are considered at moderate risk1 of harm from fishing at a level of 2000 kg each.

The five-year exploratory fishery protocol is used to provide information on the viability of a commercial fishery in a particular waterbody. It requires sustained harvest of the quota annually over the five-year period and a comparison of biological characteristics of the fish caught at the start and at the end of the five-year period. Changes to the population structure following sustained levels of harvest may indicate that the level is not sustainable. However, if the harvest over that period does not change indicators of population health, then a higher level of harvest may be sustainable. Harvest of the full quota annually is necessary for this approach.

On Apr. 12th 2010, DFO presented a similar briefing note concerning the Bathurst Inlet Emerging Char Fishery Applications for decision. On May 12th 2010, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) wrote to DFO, the Burnside HTO and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) to “...invite the DFO, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Burnside HTA to provide an Arctic Char Fishery Management Plan for 2010 to the NWMB for consideration.” Since this time DFO has been in contact with Boyd Warner and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regarding clarification about marketing and processing of Arctic Char from the three waterbodies of interest. DFO summarized all of the information received into a “fishing plan” and sent to the Burnside HTO (including Boyd Warner) and NTI for review on Aug. 3rd 2010 (see attachment). At the time this briefing note was prepared, there had only been one response from Boyd Warner stating that the plan looks good.

Recommendations:

Based on a review of the available information and science advice, it is DFO’s view that there would be a moderate risk to the Arctic Char populations in the following waterbodies if harvest levels of 2000 kg are approved for exploratory purposes, provided that the subsistence harvest remains unchanged on each waterbody:

 Burnside Bay/Swan Inlet;  Hiukitak River; and  Burnside River.

In each case, the fishery should be monitored to assess the effect of the exploratory fishery on the stock and the following conditions implemented:  Each fishery should follow the exploratory fisheries five-year approach, with all samples and data being submitted annually to DFO-Science in Winnipeg, as per the Exploratory Licence; and  Employ a minimum gillnet mesh-size of 5 ½ inches.

 Hiukitak River: Prior to licencing this waterbody, a letter from the Umingmaktok HTO indicating support of the Burnside HTO’s intentions should be forwarded to DFO.

1 Moderate risk: some information is missing which would allow for the assessment of the health of the stock. We think fishing at this level may not adversely affect the stock; however, it is very important to collect data from any harvest that occurs. It is also important to reassess the stock once biological data has been collected and analyzed.

These recommendations are consistent with the “fishing plan.”

Consultations: K. Martin (DFO Science – Winnipeg), A. Ryan & A. McPhee (DFO Resource Management – Winnipeg), R. MacDonald (DFO Resource Management – Iqaluit), B. Warner (Bathurst Inlet Lodge Ltd.), and Allen Kapolak (Burnside HTO)

Prepared by: Chris Lewis Fisheries Management Biologist Fisheries and Oceans Eastern Arctic Area

Date: Aug. 11, 2010

Attachment: Bathurst Inlet Emerging Char Fisheries Fishing Plan.

ATTACHMENT:

BATHURST INLET EMERGING CHAR FISHERIES

LICENCE APPLICANT: Burnside Hunters’ and Trappers’ Association, Bathurst Inlet, NU

PURPOSE: To develop a sustainable commercial char fishery and promote economic opportunities for Inuit in Bathurst Inlet. It is likely that 10,000 lbs of Arctic Char would make things feasible to start.

LOCATIONS & HARVEST LEVEL: Waterbody Coordinates Exploratory Harvest Level Burnside Bay/Swan Lake 66°47’N 2000 kg (4400 lbs) (CB 177) 108°10’W Hiukitak River (CB163) 67°08’N 2000 kg (4400 lbs) 107°10’W Burnside River (CB158) 66°50’N 2000 kg (4400 lbs) 108°10’W

METHODS: Fishing will commence soon after freeze-up, probably October/November. The exploratory char fisheries five-year approach for collecting biological and catch-effort data will be followed for each of the three exploratory waterbodies. A minimum gillnet mesh-size of 5.5 inches will be employed. The harvested Arctic Char will be exported to Yellowknife and the “Fish Inspection Regulations” with respect to Fisher/Packers will be followed.

NOTE: Prior to licensing the Hiukitak River, a letter from the Umingmaktok Hunters’ and Trappers’ Organization indicating support for the Burnside Hunters’ and Trappers’ Association’s intentions will be sent to Fisheries and Oceans – Canada (Eastern Arctic Area).