NUNAVUT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT BOARD

MINUTES: CONFERENCE CALL No. 37

THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 1998

Agenda

Call to Order 

Agenda

Policy for NWMB-Funded Research: Review

Applications for NWMB-Funded Research: Review/Approval

Benthic Survey of Areas Around Broughton Island

Char Population and Wintering Assessment in Saputing River

Re-evaluation of Keewatin Muskoxen Populations, Management Zones

Biological Characteristics of Arctic Char in Cumberland Sound

Exploratory Fishing in the Belcher Islands

Cooperative Programs to Monitor White Goose Populations at West Hudson Bay

Bowhead Whale Research in Isabella Bay

Bowman Bay Goose Harvest Study

Turbot Allocations in NAFO Sub-Area 0 for 1998

Caribou Commercial Quota Re-allocation, Cape Dorset

Hunt Plan, 1998 Bowhead Hunt

Walrus Sport Hunt Decision Review, Cape Dorset

RWED / NWMB Contribution Agreement: Review / Approval

Suvaaq Proposal: Development of Char Brood Stock

Adjournment

1. Call to Order

The Chairperson, Ben Kovic, convened the Conference Call at 1:20 p.m.

2. Agenda

Ben reviewed the agenda with the Members. A large part of the agenda was devoted to applications for NWMB research funding.

3. Policy for NWMB-Funded Research: Review

Dan Pike reviewed the current "Policy for NWMB Research Funding." He noted that this program is becoming more heavily used each year. In the past, the Board has considered applications that have come forward at any time throughout the year. However this process is becoming unfair: applicants applying late in the year may find that budgeted funds are no longer available. Dan recommended that the Board amend the Policy such that proposals be considered at one meeting per year, in February or March. The Board approved amending the Policy to provide for a once-per-year review of applications. (Resolution 99- 040)

4. Applications for NWMB-Funded Research: Review/Approval

4.A Benthic Survey of Areas Around Broughton Island

Dan Pike reviewed his briefing note with the Members. The Nativak HTA completed a similar project with NWMB financial support last year and would like to continue assessment work in 1998. Dan suggested that this is more like an economic development project than a research project. However results from last year’s work were excellent, and there is potential for employment since the prospects for development are promising. The Board approved funding for the project in the amount of $10,000 for the current fiscal year. (Resolution 99- 041)

4.B Char Population and Wintering Assessment in Saputing River

The Board reviewed the briefing note provided. Dan Pike noted that the project design is sound and likely to be successful. Dan also advised that Arctic Bay HTA has not provided a report for a previous NWMB-funded project, and suggested that approval of the current project should be subject to receipt of this report. Dan also recommended that a plan for reporting to the community was required, as well as an agreement with Iqloolik HTA on sharing of this stock. The Board approved $19,000 for the project, with noted conditions. (Resolution 99- 042)

4.C Re-evaluation of Keewatin Muskoxen Populations, Management Zones

and Quotas

Dan Pike reviewed his briefing note with the Members, and indicated that muskox were rated as a high-priority research item for the Keewatin. Dan also noted that the Keewatin Wildlife Federation has essentially no involvement in the proposed project and the request is for 100% NWMB funding. The Board decided to not approve the project in its current format. (Resolution 99- 043)

4.D Biological Characteristics of Arctic Char in Cumberland Sound

This proposal aims to address questions concerning stock delineation and productivity of arctic char in the Cumberland Sound area. Dan Pike noted that Arctic char were identified as a medium priority for the Baffin Region. Dan recommended that the Pangnirtung HTA submit a revised budget that does not include administration fees and also provide further details on how study results will be presented to the community. The Board approved funding for the project in the amount of $12,200, with noted conditions. (Resolution 99- 044)

4.E Exploratory Fishing in the Belcher Islands

Dan Pike reviewed his briefing note with the Board, and indicated that the proposal is to address population size and setting safe harvest levels. Dan observed that marine fish had not been assessed as a research priority. Dan suggested that the project might be considered a medium priority. He recommended that the proponent should provide a plan for reporting the survey results to the community. The Board approved the project for $10,000, with the noted condition. (Resolution 99- 045)

4.F Cooperative Programs to Monitor White Goose Populations at

West Hudson Bay

The Members reviewed the briefing note that was provided. Dan Pike noted that the initial phase of this project was started last year. The Arviat HTA, the KWF, and CWS propose to continue the project in 1998. The proposal addresses questions concerning population trend, productivity, and the effects of geese on their nesting habitat. Dan noted that neither financial reports nor project reports have been received in respect to the work done in 1997. The Board approved the project for $3,300, conditional on receipt of reports for 1997. (Resolution 99- 046)

4.G Bowhead Whale Research in Isabella Bay

Dan Pike reviewed his briefing note with the Board, noting that bowhead whales were rated as a high priority for research in the Baffin. Dan also noted that the primary focus of the proposed work is to determine the reactions of bowheads to vessel disturbance, which is not within the primary mandate of the NWMB. Dan also noted that this would be quite a complex study. The HTA would need assistance if they are to obtain worthwhile data as well as analyze and report the results effectively. No provision is identified in the proposal for this kind of assistance. Neither is any plan provided for reporting results to the community. The Board decided to not fund this project, and to explain the decision in detail to the community. (Resolution 99- 047)

4.H Bowman Bay Goose Harvest Study

The Board reviewed the briefing note provided by Dan Pike. The Cape Dorset HTA proposes to determine if it is feasible to harvest down form the nests at Bowman Bay, while at the same time obtaining information on the number of birds and nests in the area. Dan noted that geese were identified as a low priority for research and that a complete population survey of the area was carried out in 1997. Dan recommended that the proponent should provide more detail on how the project will be reported to the community. The Board approved the project for $10,500, with the noted condition. (Resolution 99- 048)

5. Turbot Allocations in NAFO Sub-Area 0 for 1998

This item was deferred to a subsequent Conference Call, scheduled for June 12 th .

6. Caribou Commercial Quota Re-allocation, Cape Dorset

Dan Pike reviewed his briefing note with the Members. The request is from the Cape Dorset HTA, to have their Non-Resident Barren Ground Caribou sport hunting quota increased from 20 to 48 through a re-allocation from their commercial quota. Dan noted that the Baffin Regional Caribou Biologist supports this proposal since he anticipates some benefits from the selective harvest of more bulls with respect to the overall productivity of caribou on the Foxe Peninsula. The Board approved the request as supported by RWED for a reallocation of 28 caribou tags from the Cape Dorset commercial quota to the sport-hunting quota. (Resolution 99- 049)

7. Hunt Plan, 1998 Bowhead Hunt

Dan Pike noted that the NWMB had given approval-in-principle to the 1998 Qikiqtaaluk Bowhead Hunt Plan during the course of the Broughton Island meeting, but had requested a staff review of the plan. Dan Pike and Michael d'Eça did review the Hunt Plan as requested, and recommended ten items for consideration to improve the Plan. One of the major concerns pertains to the plan for control of access by the media. The Board approved the recommendations provided by staff, and agreed to forward these recommendations to the Hunt Planning Committee for their consideration.

8. Walrus Sport Hunt Decision Review, Cape Dorset

Dan Pike reviewed his briefing note with the Members. Cape Dorset HTA has requested that the NWMB reconsider the earlier Board decision, made at the Broughton Island meeting, to approve only one walrus for their initial walrus sport hunt in 1998. The Cape Dorset HTA maintains that they requested approval for five walrus sport hunts; however there is no record of this in the NWMB correspondence. Dan noted that the Board has restricted other communities to one or two walrus in their first year of walrus sport hunting. The Board decided to reaffirm the original decision to approve one walrus for the 1998 Cape Dorset sport hunt. (Resolution 99- 050)

9. RWED / NWMB Contribution Agreement: Review / Approval

Jim Noble advised that he has been working with the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development to draft a Contribution Agreement which would allow the transfer of RWO/HTO administrative funding from RWED to the NWMB in order to simplify accounting requirements for the RWOs and HTOs. Jim noted that Michael d'Eça had assisted with development of the Agreement and was satisfied that all jurisdictional issues of concern to the NWMB had been covered. Jim asked that the Members review this document and provide their comments as soon as possible with the aim of implementing the Agreement in the current fiscal year.

10. Suvaaq Proposal: Development of Char Brood Stock

Jim Noble reviewed the briefing note provided by RWED on the latest Suvaaq proposal. RWED has asked that the NWMB consider the request from the Resolute Bay HTA and from the Kugluktuk HTA for permission to provide eggs to Suvaaq and to become partners in this new venture. After considerable deliberations the Members decided to not approve this request. Members still felt that there had not been enough consultation with Nunavut communities and that it would be safer not to rush such a decision. (Resolution 99- 051)

11. Adjournment

The Conference Call adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

Minutes Approved by:___________________________ _________________ 

                                                           Chairperson                                 Date