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Disclaimer
General Disclaimer
The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board’s (NWMB or Board) website (www.nwmb.com) is intended to provide up to date information on the NWMB’s decisions, recommendations and other actions associated with the management of wildlife resources in Nunavut in an open and transparent manner to the public. All reasonable measures are taken to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information presented on the NWMB’s website. However, due to the possibility of unauthorized modification of the data, transmission errors, HTML browser incompatibilities, changes made since the last update to the Website, or other aspects of electronic communication that are beyond the Board’s control, the Board cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided on its website and is not liable for reliance on this information. In using this website, you agree that the information and services are provided "as is, as available" and that you use this site at your own risk.
The information and data included on the NWMB’s website have been compiled by NWMB staff from a variety of sources and are subject to change without notice. The NWMB makes no warranties or representations whatsoever regarding the quality, content, completeness, or adequacy of such information and data. Official NWMB records always take precedence over information contained in this website. Before making a decision based on information from this website, a follow-up with a review of official records to assure accuracy is encouraged by contacting the NWMB.
If misleading, inaccurate or otherwise inappropriate information is brought to our attention, a reasonable effort will be made to correct or remove it as soon as reasonably possible. Such concerns should be addressed to the NWMB’s receptionist.
Link Disclaimer
The NWMB’s website contains links to other web or computer sites that are not owned, regularly reviewed or controlled by the NWMB. The existence of these links should not be construed as an endorsement of these sites or their content by the NWMB. The NWMB will in no way be held responsible for the content of any such link. .
Site Comments
The NWMB appreciates questions, comments, and any other feedback that will help us serve you better. If there is something that is not on this website that you feel we should provide; if you have suggestions on how to improve anything about this web site; or if you found something wrong with the information on this website, such as outdated or incorrect information, missing documents, or information located in the wrong place, please contact the NWMB’s receptionist. Please be sure to include the URL of the page when reporting a problem.
Acceptance
The use of the NWMB’s website indicates your unconditional acceptance of the above disclaimers and statements. You further agree that the NWMB and its Staff have no liability for direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages with respect to the information, services, or content contained on or otherwise accessed through this web site.
Thank you for visiting the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board’s Website.
Structure of the NWMB
The NWMB is an institution of public government, non-profit corporation and a co-management body.
The Board was incorporated under Section 10(1) of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA). As a corporation, it has the capacity, rights, powers, and privileges of a natural person. It has By-laws and Operating Procedures. It enters into contracts. It has employees and advisors.
In its capacity as in institution of public government, the Board acts as an independent administrative agency forming part of the broad structure of public government within Canada. Therefore, the NWMB is, at the same time, both independent and a part of government.
The Board is part of government in that it assists in the overall task of governing, by carrying out governmental functions. However, the role that it plays in this overall task is an independent one. It does not take instructions from, or do the bidding of, other branches of public government. Rather, it takes its instructions from the NLCA, and carries out its “governing tasks” as an independent body.
The NWMB’s independence is not absolute. Although it arrives at its decisions independently, ultimate responsibility for wildlife management in Nunavut rests with the legislative and executive branches of Government, who are elected by and therefore much more directly answerable to the public.
As a corporation and an institution of public government, the NWMB has developed into a model modern administrative agency. Its operation is run in an efficient and economic manner, and is built upon a solid foundation of sound By-laws, Operating Procedures, Financial Policies and Management Policies.
Canada-Greenland Joint Commission on Beluga and Narwhal
The Canada-Greenland Joint Commission on Beluga and Narwhal (hereafter “Commission”) was established in 1991 under terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Ministry of Fisheries and Hunting of the Greenland Home Rule Government. The MOU applies to stocks of narwhal and beluga that migrate between Canadian and Greenlandic waters. The Commission was established to responsibly manage the shared stocks of narwhal and beluga.
Functions of the Commission
The Commission reviews reports from meetings of the Joint Commission on Beluga and Narwhal and the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO) scientific working groups, including estimates of current population size and trends, stock definition, current and historical harvest and other impacts.
Based on these reviews, the Commission’s Scientific Working Group provides advice on narwhal and beluga research and monitoring needs, and the Commission makes recommendations, on the conservation and management of narwhal and beluga, to the appropriate authorities of both countries.
Structure of the Commission
The Commission is comprised of three working groups. Each working group is made up of experts in the relevant field, who come together to provide advice and recommendations on how to effectively and cooperatively ensure responsible management of shared narwhal and beluga stocks.
Scientific Working Group
The Scientific Working Group proposes target population levels and recommends total allowable harvests for narwhal and beluga based on the best available scientific information. In addition, the Working Group provides advice concerning monitoring changing polar bear habitat conditions. Their findings and relevant advice are compiled into reports for consideration by the Commission.
Traditional Knowledge Working Group
The traditional knowledge working group is tasked with proposing target population levels and advising on total allowable harvests based on the best available traditional knowledge. The Working Group also collects traditional knowledge pertaining to polar bear habitat conditions. Like the Scientific Working Group, their findings and recommendations are presented to the Commission for consideration.
User to User Working Group
The primary tasks of the User to User Working Group include providing recommendations as to the allocation of total allowable harvest between Canada and Greenland, as well as collecting and compiling information concerning climate change, sea ice conditions, trophy hunting, and human-polar bear interactions.
Commission Meetings
Meetings are held once every two years and alternate between Canada and Greenland. Meetings are normally attended by members of the Scientific Working Group, marine mammal advisors and hunters from both Canada and Greenland. Other co-management bodies, such as Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) have also been invited to participate in meetings.