Science Advisory Report 2020/048
Information related to the delineation of the Eclipse Sound and Admiralty Inlet narwhal stocks
Summary
- The management framework for the Baffin Bay narwhal population assumes seasonal site fidelity. It has been difficult to clearly resolve the delineation between these stocks using current information (e.g., genetics, chemical signatures).
- Previously published telemetry data from 2009–2011 showed movement of narwhals between summer management areas.
- Recent satellite telemetry data obtained in 2012, 2016–2018 provided further information on the movement of 30 narwhals tagged between July 31 and September 11 in Eclipse Sound.
- Three out of nineteen (16%) narwhals visited another summer management area during July 25–August 24 corresponding to the period of aerial surveys.
- Ten of the 30 tagged narwhals (33%) travelled to one or more management areas during the typical open water season.
- The current data do not warrant a change to the definition of management units. However, this new information, in addition to previous telemetry data and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, suggests that the allocation model used for the estimation of the Total Allowable Landed Catch for the Baffin Bay population should allow for mixing between the management units during the summer hunt.
This Science Advisory Report is from the February 11–15, 2019 National Marine Mammal Peer Review Committee (NMMPRC): February 2019 Biannual Meeting. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.
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