Nunavut shares N.W.T.'s concerns over declining caribou

The Nunavutgovernment says it shares the N.W.T. government's concerns over the declining number of Bathurst and Bluenose-East caribou, but it says the territory's number of hunts is "very low."

Nunavuthas been blastedthis week for not have hunting restrictions in place for either herd, while the N.W.T. has imposed strict limits on both. Environment MinisterMichael MiltenbergerandFirst Nations groups in the N.W.T. have calledfor the Nunavutgovernment to end commercial harvesting of the herds.

In its defence, Nunavut'sEnvironment departmentsays the number of hunts is very low.

"Nunavutharvests a total of less than 100 caribou from theBathurstherd annually," a statementsaid.

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Population surveys done this summer in the Northwest Territories show the Bathurst caribou herd dropped to between 16,000 and 22,000 animals from 32,000 in 2012. The Bluenose-East herd has declined to between 35,000 and 40,000 this year from about 68,000 in 2013.

The statement said the Nunavutgovernment has submitted a request to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, "proposing that total allowable harvests be established for both of these herds."

It says the management board will be holding a public hearing on the matter in the near future.

"We strongly encourage the GNWT and all stakeholders and interested parties to participate in that hearing," the statement read.

Kugluktuk HTO supports quota

The chair of the Kugluktuk Hunters and Trappers Organization agrees there needs to be a quota on hunting caribou in the region.

"Probably one of the best and only alternatives is to limit the hunt for aboriginal groups, including us Inuit," said David Nivingalok, chairperson of the Kugluktuk Hunters and Trappers Organization.

"Hopefully it can happen sooner than later. That way we can at least give the herd a chance to recover."

Nivingalok thinks it might take time to convince other Inuit of the need for a quota, but he says protecting caribou for future generations is important.

"That way my kids' grandkids can have a chance to see caribou," he says.