Feds to invest more than $2.5M in Nunavut fisheries projects

The Government of Canada says its investing more than $2.5 million over four years in two fisheries research and training projects in Nunavut.

The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, or CanNor, announced Tuesday it's investing $2,067,770 in a four-year research project off the coast of Baffin Island.

The project, run by the Nunavut Fisheries Association (formerly the Nunavut Offshore Allocation Holders Association)will examine the commercial viability of porcupine crab, offshore and inshore turbot and look at better trawling technology.

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"By providing investments in research, training and infrastructure we are helping to grow an industry worth millions and provide employment to those living in Northern communities,"NavdeepBains, the minister responsible forCanNor, said in a statement.

CanNor said it's also devoting $526,130 over two years to develop the inshore turbot fishery in Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut.As part of the project, experienced Pangnirtung fishermen will provide training to local fishermen. The money will also go toward installing a walk-in, energy-efficient freezer to store fish.

The territorial Department of Economic Development and Transportationis also investing $369,720 in the project and the hamlet is contributing $23,300.

More money to restore coastal ecosystems

Late week the federal governmentannouncedother funding for Nunavut-based fish research projects. It said it's investing $1,261,890 over five years in University of Waterloo projects that will help identify and restore coastal ecosystems in northern Canada.

The university is set to work with the Kugluktuk Hunter and Trappers Organization to identify migratory patterns and overwintering habits of Arctic char and Dolly Varden trout in the Coppermine River and other river systems near Kugluktuk, Nunavut.

Heidi Swanson is an assistant professor with the University of Waterloo's biology department and has been working on and off with subsistence fishers in Kugluktuk for over a decade.

Last year, she said local fishersraised concerns that Arctic char runs had been declining in the Coppermine Riverand they wanted to know why.

"We were really trying to aim for this to be community-driven research ... The questions came from the community," she said.

The study will also include a restoration plan for one to two high priority streams that support fisheries and are subject to low-flow events and fish stranding when a fish is found dead on the water or shore, or unable to return to the water under its own power.

Funding for the project comes from the $75 million Coastal Restoration Fund, whichsupports projects that contribute to coastal restoration in Canada with a focus on multi-year projects that include Indigenous groups.

It'spart of the $1.5 billion federal Oceans Protection Plan, which aims to protect Canadian coasts and waterways.

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