Proceedings 2016/021

Proceedings of the regional peer review of the assessment of Arctic Char in the Ulukhaktok area of the Northwest Territories; February 15-17, 2016

Chairperson: Margaret Treble
Editor: Colin Gallagher

Summary

A Regional Advisory Process was held at the Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg to assess Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus) from the Ulukhaktok area, Northwest Territories with an emphasis on the Kuujjua River stock. The meeting was held between February 15 and 17, 2016 and included participants from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Fisheries Joint Management Committee, the Olokhaktokmiut Hunters and Trappers Committee, University of Calgary, and an independent expert. During the meeting, multiple presentations were made on various topics relevant to the assessment; background information on the location and timing of fisheries, a review of previous studies, the methods and results from monitoring programs conducted during October/November in Tatik Lake (Kuujjua River) and during July/August along the coast, and the results of biological sampling from a Stage I (Feasibility) fishery. The results of the Ulukhaktok community survey for harvested char (all harvesting locations in the area) were presented. The reported harvest information and data from the Tatik Lake sampling program were used to develop a statistical catch-at-age population model to assess sock status and estimate reference points. In recent years, the Kuujjua River stock appears to have realized a degree of improved fitness due to changes in environmental productivity, although reasons for the decreased abundance of small-sized char along the coast over the past several decades reported by local harvesters are unclear. Meeting objectives were met and advice provided to co-management partners. Most importantly the stock status was found to be healthy and the current level of harvest appears to be sustainable. Publications from the meeting included a Science Advisory Report and multiple Research Documents.

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