NUNAVUT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT BOARD

MINUTES: CONFERENCE CALL No. 62

TUESDAY, 16 JULY 2002

Agenda
Opening by Chairperson
Review/Approval of Agenda
NWMB Audited Financial Statements March 31,2002: Approval
Amittuq Bowhead Hunt Plan/Management Plan: Approval
Arctic Bay Request for Additional Narwhal Tags: Decision
Nunavik Request for Beluga Whales: Update
IPG's Request for Meeting (Sept 30 – Oct. 2 – Cambridge Bay): Update
10-year Contract Negotiations: Update
Other business
Meeting adjourned
Trust Meeting: Review and Approval of Auditor's Report March 31, 2002
Meeting adjourned
Resolutions

1. Opening by Chairperson

The Chairperson called the meeting to order at 10:45 am.

2. Review/Approval of Agenda

The Board approved (Resolution 2002-072) the agenda for the Conference Call as presented with the following amendments:

• That Items 4,5 and 6 move to the first items on the agenda;
• That an update on beluga hunting rules for Iqaluit and comments on BNLs and Harvest Study by added to Item 9.

3. NWMB Audited Financial Statements March 31,2002: Approval

The Executive Director reviewed the MacKay Landau Chartered Accountants’ Management Letter with the Board along with a brief review of the audited financial statements for the period ending March 31, 2002. It was noted that the recommendations of the Auditors will be adopted immediately by the Director of Finance and Administration. The Board approved (Resolution 2002- 073) the audited financial statement as presented.

4. Amittuq Bowhead Hunt Plan/Management Plan: Approval

The Board with participants from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) reviewed the Amittuq Bowhead Hunt Plan and answers to a list of questions put forward by DFO to the Hunt Planning Committee. Board members questioned some aspects of the hunt, DFO staff noted several concerns that were not answered fully from the first list of questions, along with other concerns not asked of the Hunt Planning Committee. All parties noted the short time period given to these groups to arrange the hunt and complemented the Hunt Planning Committee for the good work done in a short time span. It was noted another meeting with DFO staff would probably be necessary to resolve the outstanding issues. The Board approved (Resolution 2002- 074) the Amittuq Bowhead Hunt Plan in principle, subject to clarification of several issues in the hunt plan.

The Board then discussed the matter of a Bowhead Management Plan for bowhead whales in the Nunavut Settlement Area for the year 2002. It was noted that very little change has occurred since drafting of the 2000 Bowhead Management Plan and that the Board could probably adopt the same plan by substituting the Coral Harbour Hunt Plan with the Amittuq Plan for the current hunting season. The Board approved (Resolution 2002- 075) the 2000 Bowhead Management Plan with the noted change of inserting the Amittuq Hunt Plan for 2002.

5. Arctic Bay Request for Additional Narwhal Tags: Decision

The Director of Wildlife Management reviewed the request from the Arctic Bay Hunters and Trappers Association for an additional fifty narwhal tags for the 2002/03 hunting season. DFO staff noted that there is no indication that the Arctic Bay HTA has accepted the changes recommended by the NWMB for the current season. It was suggested that it would be difficult for the Board to change their decision at this point and that the Chairperson be asked to call the HTA and explain the Board's decision to try and protect the concept of Community Based Management. Further that the Chairperson try and convince the Chairperson HTA of the need to make the changes requested by the NWMB and the reasons for these changes.

6. Nunavik Request for Beluga Whales: Update

The Fish Management Biologist for DFO advised that Nunavik hunters are requesting 105 beluga whales for the 2002/03 season from the West Hudson Bay beluga stock near Arviat. This is due to concern for the East Hudson Bay beluga stock which is considered to be declining. Nunavik communities have been given a quota this season of 100 (down from approximately 242 in the 5-Year Plan and 370 in the 3-Year Plan) beluga near their communities. A further 110 whales can be harvested from the James Bay area or West Hudson Bay stock. DFO noted that there may not be a concern for harvesting an additional 105 from the West Hudson Bay stock as long as Nunavik commuities abide with the 100 quota assigned to their area for this current season. The Board decided to write a letter back to Makivik advising that this request will take some time to review and that consultation will have to occur with the Nunavut commuities affected by this decision.

7. IPG's Request for Meeting (Sept 30 – Oct. 2 – Cambridge Bay): Update

It was decided that the Executive Director should contact each member individually and make arrangement for any members who wish to attend this workshop.

8. 10-year Contract Negotiations: Update

Deferred.

9. Other Business

Deferred

10. Meeting adjourned

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

11. Trust Meeting: Review and Approval of Auditor’s Report March 31, 2002

The Executive Director reviewed the audit report as presented by MacKay Landau Chartered Accountants. It was noted that the Trust is down approximately 2 million, due to the slump in the markets over the past months. The Board approved (Resolution RT-053) the Auditors Report as presented.

12. Meeting adjourned

RESOLUTIONS: CONFERENCE CALL No.62

Resolution 2002- 072: Resolved that the NWMB accept the agenda for Conference Call No. 62 with the following amendments:

• Items 4,5 and 6 are move to the first items on the agenda
• Add to Item 9 –update on beluga hunting rules for Iqaluit and comments about BNLs and Harvest Study

Moved by David Alagalak       Seconded by Kevin McCormick

Carried           Date: 16 July 2002

Resolution 2002- 073: Resolved that the NWMB approve the Audited Financial Statements of the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board for year ended March 31, 2002 as presented.

Moved by David Alagalak       Seconded by Okalik Eegeesiak

Carried           Date: 16 July 2002

Resolution 2002- 074: Resolved that the NWMB endorses the Amittuq Bowhead Hunt Plan for the 2002 Foxe Basin/NorthHudson Bay bowhead hunt with the following conditions:

• That the Hunt Planning Committee ensure that there are sufficient funds to successfully complete all aspects of the hunt;
• That there are sufficient boats to move the whale to shore in a timely fashion;
• That the Hunt Planning Committee consider a 24 hour polar bear monitor;
• That the Hunt Planning Committee have bad weather contingency plans for ensuring that there is no wastage of the mattak or meat;
• That the Hunt Planning Committee ensure that there are at least two teams to flense and process the meat and mattak and who are available to work around the clock to ensure the mattak and meat does not spoil.

Moved by Kevin McCormick     Seconded by Nick Amautinuar

Carried           Date: 16 July 2002

Resolution 2002- 075: Resolved that the NWMB approve the 2000 Bowhead Management Plan for Bowhead Whales in the Nunavut Settlement Area as the 2002 Plan with the substitution of the Amittuq Hunt Plan for the Coral Harbour Hunt Plan.

Moved by Robert Moshenko       Seconded by Kevin McCormick

Carried           Date: 16 July 2002

Resolution RT-053: Resolved that the NWRT approve the Audited Financial Statements of the Nunavut Wildlife Research Trust for March 31,2002 as presented.

Moved by David Alagalak       Seconded by Robert Moshenko

Carried           Date: 16 July 2002