NUNAVUT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT BOARD

MINUTES: CONFERENCE CALL No. 25

WEDNESDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1996

Agenda

Call to Order 

Peary Caribou: Capture and Relocation Proposal

"Sinews of Survival": Request for Donation

NWMB Strategic Plan

Other Business

Adjournment

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Ben Kovic , convened the Conference Call at 2:00 p.m.

2. Peary Caribou: Capture and Relocation Proposal

Jim Noble opened the discussion, reminding the Members that the population status of Peary caribou was discussed at the Arviat meeting in August. Dr. Anne Gunn of RWED had advised the Board of concern for the Peary caribou on Bathurst Island. A recent survey of the area indicated that the population of caribou had declined seriously.

Dan Pike reviewed his “Submission for Decision” pertaining to the proposed Peary caribou rescue project. Dan suggested that extinction of Peary caribou this winter was unlikely, but that very severe reduction of the population was a possibility. He noted that overall population estimates for Peary caribou are not very precise.

A 1996 survey of Bathurst Island showed a decline of 80 to 90% of the population since 1994. The situation on islands to the west and north was less certain, since they had not been surveyed since 1987. Although Peary caribou are found on Ellesmere, Devon and other islands to the northeast, numbers are unknown but apparently small.

The RWED has recommended a “rescue” operation in which about 25 caribou would be captured on Bathurst Island and relocated to a facility at Calgary zoo. This idea has been supported by the Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord HTAs, and by the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board.

Board Members discussed the issue at length. Concerns were expressed about the costs of maintaining the animals in captivity, the uncertainty of the population status at this time, the feasibility of re-stocking animals once they have become acclimated to the south, the possibility of spreading disease, and the continued hunting of Peary caribou on Bathurst Island by Resolute Bay hunters. The Board decided to approve the capture and relocation of Peary caribou, subject to the following understandings and conditions: (Resolution 97-096)

•  That the NWMB will reject any invitation to provide funding for the capture and relocation operation and will not cover any future maintenance costs relating to this project.     

•  That the Calgary Zoo and the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development develop a “Maintenance Plan” for the caribou for the duration of the animals’ stay at the zoo.

•  That any plans to restock the animals in their native habitat in future be contingent on NWMB approval, as per Article 5.2.34(d)(i) of the NLCA.

•  That surveys of the Peary caribou be conducted on the High Arctic Islands in the 1997/98 fiscal year to establish a population estimate.

•  That steps be taken, in consultation with the Resolute Bay HTA, to stop all hunting of Peary caribou on Bathurst Island .

3. “Sinews of Survival”: Request for Donation

Jim Noble advised that a request had been received from Rebecca Yates of Inuit Studies to assist with funding for production of a book on Inuit clothing. The Board decided to provide a donation of $2,000 towards the production of this book. (Resolution 97-097)

4. NWMB Strategic Plan

Jim Noble reminded the Members that approval/acceptance of the Board’s Strategic Plan had not yet been formalized. Jim suggested that before copies of the Plan are released to the public, the Board should officially approve it. The Board approved the Strategic Plan as presented. (Resolution 97-098)

5. Other Business

•  Meeka Mike advised the Members that she intended to approach the Board at the next regular Meeting, to request funding assistance on behalf of the Outward Bound Program.

•  Ben Kovic advised that Charlie Innuarak of Pond Inlet would be approaching the Board for funding assistance to reimburse funds spent on a test fishery in the Pond Inlet area.

•  Joannie Ikkidluak advised Members that he may not be able to attend the SEBBMC meeting in November due to a previous commitment to attend a meeting pertaining to the new firearms legislation.

6. Adjournment

The Conference Call adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Minutes Approved by:___________________________ __________________

                                                           Chairperson                                      Date