Proceedings 2009/002
National Marine Mammal Peer Review Committee: Stock assessment of Northern Quebec (Nunavik) Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas); February 16-17, 2009
Chairperson: Don Bowen
Editor: Christine Abraham
Summary
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) held a supplementary meeting of the annual National Marine Mammal Peer Review Committee (NMMPRC) to conduct scientific peer review of beluga whale issues in Northern Quebec (Nunavik). This meeting was held along the margins of the scientific Joint Working Group (JWG) of the Joint Commission on Narwhal and Beluga (JCNB). This approach allowed the opportunity to bring together experts on marine mammals from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) with specific contributions from non-DFO experts to ensure high quality review of the scientific results and to provide sound scientific basis for the management and conservation of beluga whales in Canada. This meeting was also an opportunity to review ongoing research projects and provide feedback or guidance to the scientists involved.
The tri-annual (2006-08) management plan of the Nunavik beluga and adjacent waters is in its last year. There is a need to negotiate and develop in early 2009, with the Inuit leaders, a new multi-year agreement for the management of beluga. In addition to the usual zones, the Inuit are asking for access to new hunting zones, pilot project of Salliquit near the Belcher Islands and Umiujaq, new hunting seasons particularly for Ungava and Salisbutry Islands, a winter hunt in the Hudson Strait for the Western Hudson Bay stock, etc. The goal of this meeting was to obtain peer-reviewed scientific advice regarding the health of the Nunavik beluga population in order to determine an acceptable harvest level for 2009 and future years.
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