Ben Kovic opened the Conference Call at 10:00 a.m. Iqaluit time. He thanked the Board Members and staff for making themselves available to participate in the call.

2. Agenda for the Conference Call

The Board adopted the Agenda for the Conference Call as presented.

3. Bowhead Hunt Plan for 2000: Coral Harbour

Ben Kovic reported that he participated in a community meeting at Coral Harbour following the last NWMB Conference Call. The Hunt Plan was revised and improved as a result of that meeting. Michelle tabled copies of the updated version of the Hunt Plan.

Gordon Koshinsky recalled that the Board had approved the Hunt Plan in principle at the last Conference Call, this pending clarification or incorporation of five specific items. Michelle advised that the revised Hunt Plan addressed these items to her satisfaction. It was apparent at the community meeting that the community was fully supportive.

The Board decided (Resolution 2000- 168) to approve the Coral Harbour Bowhead Hunt Plan for 2000 as currently written.

4. Bowhead Management Plan for the NSA: 2000 Update

Michelle Wheatley noted that the Bowhead Management Plan document that she had tabled for the Conference Call relied heavily on the Management Plan that was prepared (and that the NWMB approved) prior to the Pangnirtung hunt in 1998. That document in turn was an update of the Bowhead Management Plan that was developed prior to the initial bowhead hunt sanctioned by the NWMB in 1996. The document currently under consideration was once again drafted by DFO; it incorporates new findings (since 1998) and appends the new Hunt Plan (for 2000). It has been good conservation practice to have a formally updated Management Plan in advance of each bowhead hunt.

Michelle explained that DFO had been waiting to receive a best draft of the 2000 Hunt Plan in order to complete their draft of the Management Plan, which is why DFO was not able to provide the document until yesterday. She (Michelle) considered the document to be generally satisfactory, noting only a few minor errors in terminology and/or content:

• Erroneous reference to the current WWF initiative being to develop a “Recovery Plan”, rather than a “Conservation Plan”.

• Erroneous reference to responsibility for the 2000 hunt being the purview of the RWO, rather than of the HTO.

• Lack of reference to the 2000 bowhead skin-sampling program in the listing of current research.

• Excessive use of scientific jargon in describing the kill-sampling protocol.

In addition to these shortcomings, Kevin McCormick suggested that the roles of DFO and the NWMB as set out in Section 8.3 were in fact almost the reverse of the roles as written. Meeka Mike expressed concern about several aspects of the content and presentation.

The Board decided (Resolution 2000- 169) to approve the Management Plan for Bowhead Whales in the NSA updated to/for 2000 as written, with minor revisions to be made as noted, including the elimination of references to specific responsibilities of the co-management agencies. Meeka Mike agreed to work with Michelle to draft the final revisions for submission to DFO, and to ensure that her own particular concerns were taken into account.

5. Management of SE Baffin Beluga: NWMB Final Decisions

Michelle Wheatley reminded the Board that the DFO Minister had rejected certain decisions of the NWMB pertaining to SE Baffin beluga management, namely:

• The NWMB decision to increase the annual beluga quota at Pangnirtung from 35 to 48 animals, and

• The NWMB decision to extend the new community-based management system at Iqaluit for a period of not less than five years.

Michelle reported that a tentative understanding had been reached with DFO staff regarding a beluga quota for Pangnirtung that would probably satisfy the Minister’s conservation concerns. Michelle suggested that the Minister’s concerns regarding the NWMB decision pertaining to beluga management at Iqaluit could probably be addressed by clarifying the NWMB intentions. The Minister had not in fact rejected the NWMB decision with respect to Kimmirut, except insofar and to the effect that it was embodied in the same decision that pertained to Iqaluit.

Michelle tabled recommendations for NWMB final decisions regarding beluga management for these three communities, along with draft letters to the DFO Minister for transmitting these final decisions if they were adopted. In essence these recommendations were to:

• Implement the community-based system of beluga management at Pangnirtung with a revised annual quota of 41 whales, pending another survey of the beluga population in Cumberland Sound in 2002.

• Continue the community-based system of beluga management at Iqaluit for a period of five years.

• Continue the community-based system of beluga management at Kimmirut for a period of five years.

• Require annual reviews of implementation of these decisions in all three communities according to prescribed criteria.

• Require that each community develop and have in place appropriate beluga harvesting rules prior to these decisions taking effect.

Ben Kovic reported that beluga hunting has already started in some or all of these communities, and there is confusion and uncertainty about what regulations are going to be in effect. The Iqaluit HTO has developed hunting rules in anticipation of a management system along the lines under consideration. Kimmirut has not yet done this, and it is not in fact clear that the community is supportive. Michelle stressed the urgency of putting forward NWMB final decisions for Ministerial response in order to establish the basis for implementation by the communities.

The Board decided to adopt the recommendations of the Director of Wildlife Management in these regards, as embodied in the draft letters she had prepared to the DFO Minister, and more specifically the Board:

• Made its final decision (Resolution 2000- 170) to implement the community-based system of beluga management at Pangnirtung with a revised annual quota of 41 whales, pending another survey of the beluga population in Cumberland Sound in 2002, subject to annual review of implementation, and to come into effect only after the community develops and has in place appropriate beluga harvesting rules pertinent to the new management system.

• Made its final decision (Resolution 2000- 171) to continue the community-based system of beluga management at Iqaluit, subject to annual review of implementation, and to come into effect only after the community develops and has in place appropriate beluga harvesting rules pertinent to the new management system.

• Made its final decision (Resolution 2000- 172) to continue the community-based system of beluga management at Kimmirut, subject to annual review of implementation, and to come into effect only after the community develops and has in place appropriate beluga harvesting rules pertinent to the new management system.

6. Requests for Arctic Charr Commercial Fishery Amendments

6A. Request to Close Three Charr Commercial Fisheries at Pangnirtung

Michelle Wheatley advised that the Pangnirtung HTO has observed declining catches of large charr in three particular water bodies in the Pangnirtung area and has requested closure of the commercial fisheries for at least five years. All of these waters are used for subsistence fishing, including by the community of Iqaluit (two of the lakes), and the subsistence fisheries would be expected to continue. DFO staff support these closures, and have agreed to work with the HTO to develop a monitoring program to assess recovery of the stocks.

The Board decided (Resolution 2000- 173) that Kingnait Fiord, Iqaluit Lake (Robert Peel Inlet) and Kanayuktuk Lake (Ikpit Bay) be closed to commercial fishing for a period of five years commencing in 2000. The Board also agreed that DFO be urged to work with the Pangnirtung HTO to ensure appropriate monitoring of the charr populations, and that the two communities (Pangnirtung and Iqaluit) be encouraged to minimize subsistence fishing in these waters over this period in order to further facilitate recovery of these stocks.

6B. Request to Re-open a Charr Commercial Fishery near Pond Inlet

Michelle Wheatley advised that the Mittimatalik HTO reports larger and more abundant charr in the Tugaat River near Pond Inlet in recent years and has requested that the commercial fishery be re-opened. The River was closed to commercial fishing in 1993, due to local concerns about over-fishing. Prior to that there was a commercial quota of 1400 kg per year. A significant but variable subsistence fishery has continued. Charr from this stock are locally preferred.

Michelle observed that while there are indications that the fishery is recovering, the available information is inadequate to support a recommendation for re-opening a commercial fishery at the previous levels. Safeguarding the popular and substantial subsistence fishery is an important consideration. Michelle outlined a number of options for the Board to consider in respect to re-establishing a commercial fishery.

After considering the options outlined by Michelle, the Board decided (Resolution 2000- 174) to maintain closure of the Tugaat River commercial fishery, but to encourage a process for DFO, in conjunction with the HTO, would collect information from the subsistence fishery in order to permit further and more informed consideration of this matter at a later date.

7. Arctic Char Research at Pangnirtung: Revised Proposal

Michelle Wheatley reminded Members that the Board at its March meeting directed that DFO be requested to revise and amalgamate research proposals 5120-00-3 and 5120-00-5 if the proponent desired further consideration for NWRT funding. A revised proposal has now been received (tabled by Michelle) with a combined cost of $33,000 (cf. $53,000 previously) for each of two years. The project would gather information on differences within and among charr stocks, with the findings to be used to verify the assumptions of an Arctic charr life history model and ultimately to develop an improved charr management model. The new proposal scored 61.3 on the rating scale, higher than either of the separate components scored previously.

The Board devoted considerable attention to the personnel component of the proposal, specifically the stated intention to hire a technical assistant who would be heavily oriented to laboratory work in Winnipeg. Members noted that the usual protocol for NWRT-supported projects has been for the proponent agency to cover salary costs except for local hires within Nunavut. Kevin McCormick suggested that the Board might consider establishing a formal funding policy to that effect. Gordon Koshinsky expressed concern about the fact that two of the five charr stocks identified as subjects for sampling and analysis are being closed to commercial fishing, as per an earlier Resolution of the Board during the present Conference Call. Gordon also noted that the June sampling window which carries considerable significance in the proposal has already passed.

The Board decided (Resolution 2000- 175) to approve one-year of NWRT funding for the project in the reduced amount of $25,800, this to specifically exclude salary support for a technician working in the Winnipeg laboratory. Funding will be conditional upon demonstration by the proponent that the loss of commercial sampling opportunities in two of the five proposed sampling sites, and the delayed start-up date, will not substantially undermine the project. Funding for a second year of work will be conditional upon the success of the 2000 program.

8. Re-allocation of 2000 Davis Strait Turbot Survey from NWMB to NWRT

Michelle Wheatley advised that the NWMB Study Fund is over-committed by more than $60,000 for the current fiscal year. The Davis Strait turbot survey, approved for funding through the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board at $50,000 for 2000/01, represents a substantial fraction of that over-commitment. On the other hand, the block of funding that has been allotted by the NWRT for research projects by government agencies in 2000/01 is significantly under-subscribed. The turbot survey could just as easily, and perhaps more easily, be funded to DFO directly without the administrative oversight of the QWB. Transferring the project to NWRT funding would bring the utilization of both funding sources in 2000/01 into closer alignment with allocated resources.

The Board decided (Resolution 2000- 176) to transfer the 2000/01 Davis Strait turbot survey project from the NWMB Study Fund to the Nunavut Wildlife Research Trust.

9. Proposal to Harvest Sea Urchins: Keewatin Region

Michelle Wheatley briefed the Board on a request from Don Larochelle of Canadian Urchin Harvesting for an experimental licence to fish sea urchins in the Keewatin Region. The proponent had a small experimental licence urchin-harvesting licence for the Churchill area in 1998. He now wishes to enlarge the experimental area north as far as Repulse Bay and east to include some of Southampton Island, and to expand the experimental quota to 5,000 kg of sea urchin eggs or 50,000 kg of green sea urchins. Harvesting will be done by scuba diving, and boats and personnel to man them and to sort the urchins will be sought locally. The proposal has been reviewed by DFO Science, who provided written recommendations. The proposal has also been reviewed by the Nunavut Fisheries Working Group, which expressed support provided that no exclusive or continuing rights are granted.

Gordon Koshinsky enquired about the Board’s jurisdiction to decide an experimental fishery for that portion of the proposed area off Churchill. Michelle explained that the Board could only recommend (not decide) for that portion. Gordon also suggested that any approval be made in very specific terms, including perhaps a ceiling allocation per unit length of shoreline. Meeka Mike stressed the need for HTOs to be made aware of harvest volumes being contemplated for their areas.

The Board decided (Resolution 2000- 177) to approve an experimental quota of 50,000 kg of green sea urchins (or 5,000 kg of sea urchin eggs) for that part of the west coast of Hudson Bay extending north as far as Repulse Bay and east to include the west coast of Southampton Island, subject to the following understandings and conditions:

• That this particular approval is for 2000 only;

• That this approval does not imply any long-term rights of access;

• That the methods of harvesting and reporting must incorporate and take account of all the recommendations provided by DFO;

• That the harvest of green urchins must not exceed 7,000 kg in any 50-km stretch of coastline;

• That the participants must have the necessary certification for commercial diving;

• That written approval must be provided by the communities for harvesting to proceed in their particular areas; and

• That the Board is only recommending (in a positive manner, but cannot approve) experimental urchin harvesting for that portion of the proposed experimental area that lies along the coastline of Manitoba .

10. Experimental Crab Fishery: QC Proposal to Harvest within the NSA

Michelle Wheatley reminded the Board of its recent consideration of a proposal from Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, in partnership with Northern Resources Incorporated of Newfoundland, to conduct an experimental crab fishery in Zone I waters adjacent to Nunavut. The Board recommended positively but conditionally to DFO with respect to that proposal. Following upon those exchanges DFO did award an experimental crab fishery licence to QC, for application in waters adjacent to Nunavut.

QC has now approached the Board on its own (i.e. not in partnership) for approval to pursue the experimental crab fishery within the waters of the NSA. This is the jurisdiction of the NWMB to decide, and would involve a revision to the licence already granted. The request pertains to NSA waters adjacent to both Zones I and II as far west as longitude 80°W.

Michelle noted that in the past, open-water fishing activities have been restricted in the waters of Cumberland Sound, at the request of the local HTO, to avoid disturbing habitat important to the turbot fishery that is pursued in winter out of Pangnirtung. The Nunavut Fisheries Working Group, in reviewing the proposal, recognized this as a legitimate concern and recommended excluding the experimental crab fishery inside a line from Cape Mercy to Cape St. David. On the western end of the requested area, Michelle noted that adherence to a line marked by 80°W longitude would impinge on the Area of Equal Use and Occupancy with Makivik, a genuine even if surmountable jurisdictional complication. This matter has been discussed with QC, and officials would be satisfied if the western boundary for the experimental fishery were set from the community of Cape Dorset south and east to the point where 75°W intersects the boundary of the NSA.

The Board decided (Resolution 2000- 178) to grant permission to Qikiqtaaluk Corporation to conduct their experimental crab fishery in the waters of the Nunavut Settlement Area adjacent to NAFO Subareas 0A and 0B, with the exception of Cumberland Sound west of a line drawn from Cape Mercy south to Cape St. David, and in the waters of the Nunavut Settlement Area in Hudson Strait west to a line drawn from the community of Cape Dorset southeasterly to the point where the line of 75 o W longitude intersects the boundary of the Nunavut Settlement Area.

The Board also agree to recommend that QC notify all adjacent communities of their intended fishing activities and keep communities informed of the progress of the experimental fishery.

11. Exploratory Crab Fishery Proposal: Cumberland Sound Fisheries

Michelle Wheatley advised that DFO has received a request from Cumberland Sound Fisheries to undertake an experimental crab fishery in NAFO Subareas 0A and 0B this open-water season. The NWMB has also received a request to access those parts of Subareas 0A and 0B that are within the Nunavut Settlement Area. The requests are lacking in detail as to how the fishery is to be pursued, but it is known that the actual fishing is to be done by the CSF partner of long standing, Davis Strait Fisheries Ltd.

This request is very similar to the proposal from Qikiqtaaluk Corporation: to conduct an experimental crab fishery to determine whether there are viable crab fishery prospects in and immediately adjacent to eastern Nunavut. The Nunavut Fisheries Working Group briefly reviewed the request and is of the opinion that it should be granted with the same provisions as for the QC venture (i.e. without exclusivity, without establishing historical rights, with requirement to provide data to DFO). Again, for the waters outside the NSA, the NWMB would be providing a recommendation to DFO. For waters inside the NSA, the NWMB has the decision-making authority. Once again it would seem appropriate to deny access to Cumberland Sound.

In respect to proposals from Cumberland Sound Fisheries Ltd. (CSF) regarding an experimental crab fishery in the current open-water season, the Board decided (Resolution 2000- 179) as follows:

• To recommend that DFO approve the CSF request to undertake such a fishery in Zone I, with the same provisions and restrictions as were applied in the case of the application from Qikiqtaaluk Corporation; and

• To approve the CSF request to access the NSA waters that form part of Subareas 0A and 0B with the exception of the waters of Cumberland Sound west of a line drawn from Cape Mercy south to Cape St. David.

The Board also agreed to recommend that CSF notify all adjacent communities of their intended fishing activities and keep communities informed of the progress of the experimental fishery.

12. Future of the Beverly/Qamanirjuac Caribou Management Board

The Board decided to defer consideration of this item to a later date.

13. Adjournment

The Conference Call adjourned at 12:00 noon Iqaluit time.

Minutes Approved by:___________________________ ___________________

Chairperson Date

RESOLUTIONS: CONFERENCE CALL 52

Resolution 2000- 168: Resolved that the NWMB approve the Coral Harbour Bowhead Hunt Plan for 2000 as currently written.

Moved by: David Alagalak Seconded by: Makabe Nartok

Carried Date: 14 July 2000

Resolution 2000- 169: Resolved that the NWMB approve the Management Plan for Bowhead Whales in the NSA updated to/for 2000 as written, with minor revisions to be made as noted, including the elimination of references to specific responsibilities of the co-management agencies.

Moved by: Kevin McCormick Seconded by: Gordon Koshinsky

Carried Date: 14 July 2000

Abstained: Meeka Mike

Resolution 2000- 170: Resolved that the NWMB convey to the DFO Minister the NWMB final decision that the community-based system of beluga management at Pangnirtung as outlined by the Southeast Baffin Beluga Management Committee but with a revised annual quota of 41 whales be implemented and maintained, pending another survey of the beluga population in Cumberland Sound in 2002, subject to annual review of implementation, and to come into effect only after the community develops and has in place appropriate beluga harvesting rules pertinent to the new management system.

Moved by: David Alagalak Seconded by: Makabe Nartok

Carried Date: 14 July 2000

Resolution 2000- 171: Resolved that the NWMB convey to the DFO Minister the NWMB final decision that the community-based system of beluga management at Iqaluit as outlined by the Southeast Baffin Beluga Management Committee be implemented, subject to annual review of implementation, and to come into effect only after the community develops and has in place appropriate beluga harvesting rules pertinent to the new management system.

Moved by: Gordon Koshinsky Seconded by: Kevin McCormick

Carried Date: 14 July 2000

Resolution 2000- 172: Resolved that the NWMB convey to the DFO Minister the NWMB final decision that the community-based system of beluga management at Kimmirut as outlined by the Southeast Baffin Beluga Management Committee be implemented, subject to annual review of implementation, and to come into effect only after the community develops and has in place appropriate beluga harvesting rules pertinent to the new management system.

Moved by: David Alagalak Seconded by: Kevin McCormick

Carried Date: 14 July 2000

Resolution 2000- 173: Resolved that the NWMB close Kingnait Fiord, Iqaluit Lake (Robert Peel Inlet) and Kanayuktuk Lake (Ikpit Bay) to commercial fishing for a period of five years commencing in 2000.

Moved by: David Alagalak Seconded by: Meeka Mike

Carried Date: 14 July 2000

Resolution 2000- 174 : Resolved that the NWMB maintain closure of the Tugaat River commercial fishery and at the same time encourage a process for DFO, in conjunction with the HTO, collect information from the subsistence fishery in order to permit further and more informed consideration of this matter at a later date.

Moved by: David Alagalak Seconded by: Kevin McCormick

Carried Date: 14 July 2000

Opposed: Meeka Mike

Resolution 2000- 175: Resolved that the NWMB approve one-year of NWRT funding for the DFO project to document stock and life history differences in Cumberland Sound Arctic charr populations, this in the amount of $25,800 and reduced from the amount requested to specifically exclude salary support for a technician working in the Winnipeg laboratory, and with funding conditional upon demonstration by the proponent that the loss of commercial sampling opportunities at two of the five proposed sampling sites, and the delayed start-up date, will not substantially undermine the project.

Moved by: Kevin McCormick Seconded by: Makabe Nartok

Carried Date: 14 July 2000

Resolution 2000- 176: Resolved that the NWMB transfer the 2000/01 Davis Strait turbot survey project from the NWMB Study Fund to the Nunavut Wildlife Research Trust, this for funding purposes.

Moved by: Kevin McCormick Seconded by: Gordon Koshinsky

Carried Date: 14 July 2000

Resolution 2000- 177: Resolved that the NWMB approve an experimental quota of 50,000 kg of green sea urchins (or 5,000 kg of sea urchin eggs) for that part of the west coast of Hudson Bay extending north as far as Repulse Bay and east to include the west coast of Southampton Island, subject to the following understandings and conditions:

• That this particular approval is for the current open-water season only;

• That this approval does not imply any long-term rights of access;

• That the methods of harvesting and reporting must incorporate and take account of all the recommendations provided by DFO;

• That the harvest of green urchins must not exceed 7,000 kg in any 50-km stretch of coastline;

• That the diving participants must have the necessary certification for commercial diving;

• That written approval must be provided by the communities in order for harvesting to proceed in their particular areas; and

• That the Board recommends (in a positive manner, but cannot approve) that experimental sea urchin harvesting be permitted in that portion of the proposed experimental area that lies along the coastline of Manitoba .

Moved by: Gordon Koshinsky Seconded by: Makabe Nartok

Carried Date: 14 July 2000

Resolution 2000- 178: Resolved that the NWMB approve grant permission to Qikiqtaaluk Corporation to conduct their experimental crab fishery in the waters of the Nunavut Settlement Area adjacent to NAFO Subareas 0A and 0B, with the exception of Cumberland Sound west of a line drawn from Cape Mercy south to Cape St. David, and in the waters of the Nunavut Settlement Area in Hudson Strait west to a line drawn from the community of Cape Dorset southeasterly to the point where 75 o W longitude intersects the boundary of the Nunavut Settlement Area.

Moved by: Kevin McCormick Seconded by: Makabe Nartok

Carried Date: 14 July 2000

Resolution 2000- 179: Resolved that in respect to proposals from Cumberland Sound Fisheries Ltd. (CSF) regarding an experimental crab fishery in the current open-water season, the NWMB:

• Recommends that DFO approve the CSF request to undertake such a fishery in Zone I, with the same provisions and restrictions as were applied in the case of the application from Qikiqtaaluk Corporation; and

• Approves the CSF request to access the NSA waters that form part of Subareas 0A and 0B with the exception of the waters of Cumberland Sound west of a line drawn from Cape Mercy south to Cape St. David.

Moved by: Meeka Mike Seconded by: Gordon Koshinsky

Carried Date: 14 July 2000

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