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NUNAVUT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT BOARD
MINUTES: CONFERENCE CALL No. 42
MONDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 1999 Agenda Budget for 1999/2000, for Submission to DIAND Policy for Establishing NWMB Research Priorities Revised Policy for Shrimp and Groundfish Allocations Request for Increase in Arctic Charr Quota for Naqsaarluq Lake
Contract to Review Staff Remuneration, Benefits and Training
The Chairperson, Ben Kovic, convened the Conference Call at 1:00 p.m. Ben advised the Board that David Alagalak, President of KWF, will be replacing David Tagoona as the Member appointed by the Kivalliq Inuit Association.
Jim Noble advised of two additional agenda items under Donation Requests. Jim also asked the Board to take time to re-visit the matter of contracting for assistance to review some of the NWMB personnel policies. Kevin McCormick requested opportunity to brief the Board on a proposal to establish a spring non-Inuit hunting season for snow geese.
3. Budget for 1999/2000, for Submission to DIAND
Gordon Tomlinson reviewed the budget that he had prepared for 1999/2000. He noted that the budget is $840,000 higher than that for the previous year and explained the main items of increase. Members called for a number of changes, particularly in some of the line-item headings. The Board then approved the budget, with these amendments, for submission to DIAND. (Resolution 99- 105)
4. Policy for Establishing NWMB Research Priorities
Michelle Wheatley reviewed her briefing note with the Board Members. She noted that the item was brought forward from the Board’s December meeting. Gordon Koshinsky advised that he had a few general concerns with the proposed policy as written, as well as some specific suggestions about wording. The Board decided to once again defer the matter for future consideration, with Michelle to obtain input from Members and others in the interim. Michelle agreed to review current research proposals (for 1999/2000) on the basis of existing procedures.
5. Revised Policy for Shrimp and Groundfish Allocations
Michelle Wheatley reviewed her briefing note with the Board. Gordon Koshinsky requested that the Zone designations in the proposed policy revision be designated in a manner that is consistent with the designations in the NLCA. The Board approved the revised policy. (Resolution 99- 106)
6. Request for Increase in Arctic Charr Quota for Naqsaarluq Lake
Michelle Wheatley noted that the Board had considered this request at two earlier meetings, and most recently had deferred decision pending confirmation that the Clyde River HTO supported the request. Confirmation has been received, and is based on the prediction that a higher quota will encourage more commercial fishing participation. Ben Kovic suggested that distance is a major impediment to this fishery. Harry Flaherty suggested that a higher quota would attract a second group of fishermen, who would thus participate on an incremental basis.
The Board approved a moderate quota increase from 2,300 to 3,500 kg, with catch sampling and analysis to occur after five years. (Resolution 99- 107)
7.A Nunavut Implementation Commission: Nunavut Inaugural Celebrations
Jim Noble noted that the NIC has requested a NWMB funding contribution to the Nunavut Inaugural Celebration activities. Gordon Koshinsky spoke in favour of this request, suggesting that the NWMB should have some profile in these celebrations. Gordon also suggested that the Board attempt to promote its activities and achievements in the course of this Celebration. Jim Noble advised that the NWMB, in conjunction with the other IPGs, is participating in the production of a Nunavut 99 brochure.
The Board approved a donation of $5,000 to NIC to assist with the Nunavut Inaugural Celebrations. (Resolution 99- 108)
7.B Nunavut Social Development Council: Inuktitut Language Week
Jim Noble advised that the Nunavut Social Development Council is requesting NWMB financial assistance for the promotion and conduct of community workshops as part of an “Inuktitut Language Week”.
Gordon Koshinsky expressed support for the concept underlying this proposal, but suggested that it does not meet NWMB criteria for donations. Harry Flaherty agreed, noting that the request does not meet the requirements of the Policy for Donations. The Board decided not to approve this donation request. The Board asked that the proponents be advised that the request does not meet the conditions of the NWMB Policy for Donations, and that possible alternative funding sources be brought to their attention. (Resolution 99- 109)
7.C Mittimatalik HTO: Narwhal Management By-law Initiative Proposal
Jim Noble reminded the Members that four communities were recently visited by a delegation of representatives to lay groundwork for the proposed new community-based management system for narwhal. The delegation consisted of Glenn Williams and Raymond Ningeocheak (NTI), Rebecca Mike (NWMB), Patrice Simon (DFO), Joannie Ikkidluak (QWB) and David Alagalak (KWF). The communities were promised support if they wanted to proceed with development of local by-laws to govern narwhal hunting. The original concept was that Glenn Williams would travel to each community to assist with development of such by-laws.
The Pond Inlet HTO has expressed an intention to develop their own narwhal hunting by-laws, independent of assistance from Mr. Williams. To accomplish this, the HTO is requesting NWMB funding in the amount of $6,360. Jim noted that none of the other HTOs were being provided with dedicated funding assistance for this purpose.
Board Members acknowledged the legitimate need for facilitation assistance of the type that would ordinarily have been provided by Glenn Williams. However Members were not sympathetic about remunerating the HTO for participating in its own planning initiative. The Board approved a contribution of $2,600 for Mittimatalik HTO for the purpose of facilitating the development of local by-laws pertinent to the introduction of a new community-based management system for narwhal. (Resolution 99- 110)
7.D Sanikiluaq HTO: World Council of Whalers Meeting
Jim Noble noted that this was one of the late additions to the agenda, and that there was no briefing material other than the one-page letter of request. Sanikiluaq HTO is seeking NWMB funding assistance in the amount of $4,815 to send a representative to a meeting of the World Council of Whalers in Iceland next month. Ben Kovic was also invited to attend but will not be able to do so. Tommy Owlijoot of KWF attended the last meeting of this organization, with support from the NWMB.
Harry Flaherty observed that there was no identification of purpose for sending a Nunavut delegate to such a meeting. He suggested that if the purpose was just to learn about the organization, there were other more economical ways of accomplishing that. The Board decided not to fund this request for travel assistance, and further to suggest to the HTO that the meeting would be more applicable to organizations having a more international perspective (such as NTI or ITC) who might also more reasonably provide support. (Resolution 99- 111)
7.E Hamlet of Arctic Bay: Nunavut Inaugural Celebrations (Dog Team Race)
Jim Noble referred to the letter of February 1 from the Hamlet of Arctic Bay. The Hamlet is requesting NWMB funding support for a dog team race to be conducted as part of the Nunavut Inaugural Celebrations. Besides contributing to the celebrations per se, this initiative would be seen to be encouraging the retention of ancient dog team hunting traditions.
The Board approved funding in the amount of $250 for each of the three regions in Nunavut by way of assisting with Nunavut Inaugural Celebrations. (Resolution 99- 112)
8. Contract to Review Staff Remuneration, Benefits and Training
Jim Noble reminded the Board that $30,000 was budgeted for the current fiscal year to examine NWMB policies pertaining to personnel administration. More specifically, there is a need to:
Gordon Koshinsky noted that the Board earlier approved, as per Resolution 99- 032 (May 1998), the hiring of a consultant to review and analyze the NWMB employee remuneration system and to recommend any changes that might be necessary or appropriate. That seemed to be part of this larger requirement. Gordon asked whether honouraria for Board Members should/would be considered at the same time. The Board decided to proceed to hire a consultant to review NWMB policies pertaining to personnel administration, but to exclude the subject of Members’ honouraria from this review exercise. (Resolution 99- 113)
Jim Noble advised that preparations are well underway for the next (21 st ) regular meeting of the Board in Iqaluit the week of March 23. In addition to the more routine items, the agenda will include review of applications for funding from the Nunavut Wildlife Research Trust fund and from the NWMB Studies fund, both for 1999/00. Arrangements are also being made to conduct a meeting of the Nunavut Wildlife Research Trust just prior to commencement of the regular Board meeting.
Ben Kovic told the Board that World Wildlife Fund personnel have indicated that they would be interested to see any good research proposals that the NWMB/NWRT is unable to fund for one reason or another. It may be possible to establish an ongoing formal partnership arrangement with them.
10.A Proposal for a Spring Sport-Hunting Season for Snow Geese
Kevin McCormick advised that urgent consideration is being given to establishing a spring snow goose hunting season for sportsmen as one approach to reducing the excess population. Special regulations would be needed, and the areas under consideration are Manitoba and parts of Quebec. While the proposed regulations would not pertain directly to the NWMB or to Nunavut, the initiative would impact geese that summer in the eastern Arctic. Response to the proposal has been mixed. Animal welfare groups are registering opposition. The Board should develop and be ready to declare its position.
Ben Kovic expressed disappointment that the Arctic Territories are not included in the proposed regulatory changes, especially when the impetus for spring hunting originated in the NWT and particularly in Nunavut. Kevin explained that the spring sport hunt would not impinge on the reality of aboriginal people in the NSA being able to hunt geese at any time of the year. He acknowledged, however, that it was somewhat embarrassing that a proposal for a spring sport hunt is receiving urgent attention while the matter of spring hunting by beneficiaries has not yet been completely laid to rest.
Ben Kovic advised that during a recent meeting with Brian Wong of DFO, it was suggested that the NWMB apply for a harp seal quota in preparation for any possible commercial development with the Chinese or Japanese markets vis-a-vis Qikiqtaaluk Corporation.
10.C Request to DFO Minister for Quotas/Licences April 1999
Gordon Koshinsky recommended that the NWMB suggest to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans that he might wish to make a gesture of generosity to Nunavut in conjunction with the inaugural celebrations for the new Territory in April. Increasing the turbot quota and/or granting groundfish licences for Nunavut fishing interests would be good candidate items, and would be positive steps to resolving the current dispute between DFO and NTI. Board Members agreed that this was a good idea.
The Conference Call adjourned at 4:15 p.m. Iqaluit time.
Minutes Approved by:_____________________________ ________________ Chairperson Date
________________________________________________________
RESOLUTIONS CONFERENCE CALL 42
Resolution 99- 105: Resolved that the NWMB approve the 1999/2000 budget as presented, with noted minor amendments, for submission to DIAND.
Resolution 99- 106: Resolved that the NWMB approve the "Revised Policy for Shrimp and Groundfish Allocations", with one amendment.
Resolution 99- 107: Resolved that the NWMB approve an increase to 3,500 kg for the commercial quota of arctic char for Naqsaarluq Lake near Clyde River, with catch sampling and analysis to be conducted after five years.
Resolution 99- 108: Resolved that the NWMB approve the request from the Nunavut Implementation Commission for a funding donation of $5,000 to assist with the Nunavut Inaugural Celebrations.
Resolution 99- 109: Resolved that the NWMB not approve the request from the Nunavut Social Development Council for funding assistance in the amount of $5,000 to support "Inuktitut Language Week" in March 1999, and that the Council be advised that their request does not conform with the NWMB policy governing donations and suggesting to them other possible funding sources.
Resolution 99- 110: Resolved that the NWMB approve a request from the Mittimatalik HTO for funding, but restricted to the amount of $2,600, to assist in the development of local by-laws pertinent to the introduction of a new community-based management system for narwhal.
Resolution 99- 111: Resolved that the NWMB not approve the request from the Sanikiluaq HTO for funding assistance in the amount of $4,800 to send a delegate to a meeting of the World Council of Whalers in Iceland in March, and that it be suggested to the HTO that they look to NTI or ITC for assistance to participate in this meeting.
Resolution 99- 112: Resolved that the NWMB provide a donation of $250 to the Hamlet of Arctic Bay to assist with a dog team race as part of the Nunavut Inaugural Celebrations, and that the same amount of funding be made available to communities in the other two regions to assist with these celebrations if requested.
Resolution 99- 113: Resolved that the NWMB reaffirm its earlier decision (Resolution 99-032) to hire a consultant to review NWMB policies pertaining to personnel administration.
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