Conference Call #43

Ben noted that besides a number of matters of a housekeeping nature, the main item of agenda was the allocation of the shrimp quota for Shrimp Fishing Area 2.

3. Allocation of Shrimp Quota for Shrimp Fishing Area 2

Board Members reviewed the briefing material provided by the Director of Wildlife Management. The Minister of DFO has established a 3500 metric tonne exploratory shrimp fishery in Shrimp Fishing Area 2 north of 63º for 1999, and has made half of this fishery available for allocation by the NWMB. The NWMB had lobbied for a greater share as part of its ongoing efforts to obtain more of the adjacent marine resources for Nunavut fishers. While not indicative of complete success in this regard, the 50% allocation by the DFO Minister does represent a significant improvement over previous recognition of Nunavut interests.

It was noted that eleven applications totaling 6675 metric tonnes were received in response to the NWMB advertisement. This will be primarily an offshore fishery requiring good-sized vessels, of which none are currently owned by Nunavut interests. This, combined with the fact that there is no assurance that this fishery will continue in future years, almost certainly dictates that the Nunavut allocations will be fished by way of charters, using boats from other regions or boats that are already onsite to harvest allocations of their own. With no realistic possibility of building Nunavut fishing enterprises around this present harvesting opportunity, it was deemed reasonable for the Board to weight heavily for allocation in favour of adjacency and on the prospects for immediate benefits at the community level.

Gordon Koshinsky observed that there is something fundamentally unsatisfying about a resource allocation process that is immediately followed by “flowing through” the primary allocations to other enterprises. The “end-point” enterprises may or may not maximize returns to Nunavut interests as they “compete” for access to allocations that can be amalgamated into viable “packages” for exploitation. The prospect of allocating to individuals in the first instance (as is potentially represented by one of the current applicants) would carry this anomaly to the extreme. Gordon asked if the resource rentals that are commonly applicable in these sorts of ventures were matters of public knowledge. He was advised that these rental rates are generally known only to the actual participants.

Ben Kovic noted that the criteria that the Board customarily uses to assess applicants for marine fishery allocations had significant shortcomings at least in this instance; for example an applicant’s stated aspirations for providing local employment were perhaps of less consequence than commitments to that end by the owners/operators of the actual fishing vessel. David Alagalak urged that briefing materials provided to the Board in preparation for resource allocation decisions in future include copies of the actual applications.

The Board decided to distribute the 1750 metric tonnes of available shrimp to ten of the applicants, with individual allocations ranging between 100 and 425 metric tonnes. (Resolution 2000- 033)

4. Audit Report for 1998/99, for Submission to DIAND

Gordon Tomlinson reviewed highlights of the Audit Report for 1998/99. He drew the attention of the Members to the more significant budget re-alignments that had been incorporated during the year, including the transfer of several expenditure items that were initially coded as “Donations” over to “Conservation Education”.

The Board approved the 1998/99 audited budget and the accompanying audit statement for submission to DIAND. (Resolution 2000- 034)

5. Insurance Coverage for Board Members

Gordon Tomlinson reminded the Members that the recent untimely death of Board Member David Tagoona had underscored the fact that present life insurance coverage for Members by virtue of their position with the Board was confined to circumstances of accidental death while in travel status. The current premium for this coverage is about $5,000 per year. Gordon tabled a letter dated 18 May 1999 from Bob Meldrum of Carlton Financial Group setting out some options whereby this coverage might be expanded, including with respect to disability. Apparently there would be no income tax implications to Members if such expanded coverage were to be obtained by the NWMB.

The Board requested that Mr. Tomlinson research the matter further and provide a full briefing, complete with options, costs and implications, at the next Board meeting in August.

6. Completion of Office Computer Network Upgrade

Gordon Tomlinson explained that adequate provision to complete the Board’s computer network upgrade was not incorporated in the 1999/00 budget because the information available at the time the budget was prepared was not adequate to enable a reasonable forecast. If the Board decides to continue and complete this upgrade, then the budget will need to be revised to accommodate the necessary acquisitions. This upgrade should ensure EDP stability in the NWMB office for the next 3-4 years. The required funds could be made available by eliminating the $30,000 budgeted for office equipment, since the office items originally identified will not be needed or have already been obtained.

The Board authorized continuation and completion of the office computer network upgrade in an amount not to exceed $30,000. The Board also authorized that the budget for office equipment be reassigned for this purpose to the extent of $9,500 for computer hardware and $20,500 for software. (Resolution 2000- 035)

7. Printing Requirements

Jim Noble advised that the Board has two requirements for printing services that need to be tendered, and asked the Board to consider authorizing that tenders be called on these two items concurrently in hopes of realizing cost savings. The two items are the Annual Report for 1998/99 and the Harvest Study calendar for 1999/00. The total (combined) cost will likely be about $80,000.

The Board decided to give its authorization to tender the printing requirements for the 1998/99 Annual Report and for the 1999/00 Harvest Study calendar concurrently. (Resolution 2000- 036)

David Alagalak requested that a more realistic regional representation be sought for the photographs that are selected for the Harvest Study calendar, and offered his assistance for the selection process. Jim advised that the photographs for the calendar were selected by the Harvest Study Committee in previous years, and noted that it has been difficult to achieve a mix that pleases everyone. Jim undertook to advise the Harvest Study Co-ordinator of David’s concern.

8. Other Business

David Alagalak enquired about the status of the initiative by some proponents at Coral Harbour to establish a new HTO in addition to the existing one. Jim Noble replied that NTI officials are attempting to discourage this initiative, on the basis that it is not consistent with the intent of the land claim. NTI interprets that there was an intent to enable communities to establish new HTOs in the first year or so of the Agreement, not to proliferate HTOs within communities subsequently. An acceptable alternative approach might be for the Coral Harbour proponents to establish an outpost camp.

9. Adjournment

The Conference Call adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

Minutes Approved by:___________________________ _________________

Chairperson Date

_________________________________________________________________

Document drafted (GK/Md’E) 04 August 1999

RESOLUTIONS CONFERENCE CALL 43

Resolution 2000-031: Resolved that the NWMB approve the allocation of shrimp quotas (total of 1750 metric tonnes) for Shrimp Fishing Area 2 north of 63º for 1999 as follows:

• Cumberland Sound Fisheries:                                      425 MT

• Qikiqtaaluk Corporation:                                                325 MT

• Quliruak Incorporated:                                                    175 MT

• Nativak HTO:                                                                   175 MT

• Nunavut Imaq Incorporated:                                           125 MT

• Aqviq Marine:                                                                125 MT

• Kabva Marine:                                                                100 MT

• Clyde River HTO:                                                            100 MT

• Mittimatalik HTO:                                                            100 MT

• KTJ Holdings / Mayukalik HTO                                      100 MT

Moved by: Gordon Koshinsky Seconded by: Meeka Mike

Carried Date: 30 June 1999

Resolution 2000-032: Resolved that the NWMB approve the 1998/99 audited budget and the accompanying audit statement for submission to DIAND.

Moved by: David Alagalak Seconded by: Makabe Nartok

Carried Date: 30 June 1999

Resolution 2000-033: Resolved that the NWMB authorize continuation and completion of the office computer network upgrade in an amount not to exceed $30,000, and that the budget for office equipment be reassigned for this purpose to the extent of $9,500 for computer hardware and $20,500 for software.

Moved by: David Alagalak Seconded by: Gordon Koshinsky

Carried Date: 30 June 1999

Resolution 2000-034: Resolved that the NWMB authorize concurrent tendering of the printing requirements for the 1998/99 Annual Report and for the 1999/00 Harvest Study calendar.

Moved by: Gordon Koshinsky Seconded by: Meeka Mike

Carried Date: 30 June 1999

_________________________________________________________________

Document drafted (GK/Md’E) 04 August 1999