CanNor supports exploratory fisheries research in Nunavut

Funding supports the study of potential commercial fisheries in Eastern and High Arctic

IQALUIT, July 5, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CanNor, announced funding of $1.2M to study fisheries data gathered from the Eastern and High Arctic. The results from this analysis will identify the potential for establishing commercial fisheries activities around three communities in Nunavut.

In 2015, researchers on board the fishing vessel Kiviuq studied the waters near the communities of Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay, and Qikiqtarjuaq. The researchers examined the commercial viability of species such as turbot, shrimp, and whelk, and also gathered baseline environmental, oceanographic, and ecological data.

Preliminary results of the research show potential for the development of local fisheries, which could provide increased job opportunities for Inuit and an expansion in Inuit-owned businesses in the fisheries sector.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to economic development and diversification in the North. The research from this project has the potential to help Inuit-owned businesses expand and innovate, and could lead to high quality jobs for Inuit."

Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and
Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

"This exploratory research has the potential to lead to a stronger, sustainable commercial fisheries sector in the Eastern and High Arctic. The Government of Canada is pleased to support research in fisheries science that enables potential economic opportunities for Inuit in Nunavut."

Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"AFA has always been committed to investing in Nunavut's future. The support of CanNor is appreciated and assists us to make the discoveries needed to develop inshore fisheries in our owner-communities."

Jaypetee Akeeagok
Chairman, Arctic Fishery Alliance

Quick Facts

• This $1.2M project is a collaboration among several partners: CanNor ($208,868); the Arctic Fishery Alliance ($630,832); the Government of Nunavut, through its Department of Economic Development and Transportation, and Department of Environment, ($182,000), the National Research Council ($144,851); Oceans North ($60,000); and the Ocean Tracking Network ($20,000).
• The Arctic Fishery Alliance has established a partnership with the Marine Institute at Memorial University in Newfoundland to analyze the data from the fisheries research conducted in 2015.

SOURCE Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

Office of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, 343-291-2500; Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Craig Welsh, Communications Advisor, Nunavut Region, 867-975-3722; For more information about CanNor, visit cannor.gc.ca; Arctic Fishery Alliance, Jaypetee Akeeagok, Chairman, 867-980-9142