http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/17659476

An assessment of the Arctic char population of Tugaat Tiver, Nunavut

The Tugaat River Arctic char population is important in meeting the nutritional and cultural needs of the residents of Pond Inlet, Nunavut. The results of a 1980 Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) tagging study at Tugaat River indicated that the population was being heavily exploited. A 1985 harvest sample indicated a decrease in growth of the population. This information led DFO and the Pond Inlet Hunters and Trappers Association to agree on a quota reduction from 1400 kg to 1000 kg. In response to further concerns by local fishers, DFO undertook a weir assessment of the char upstream migration in 1992. The results of the weir study, previous data (including fishery observations), and subsequent harvest samples have all been considered in an assessment of the Tugaat River char population. A bimodal length frequency, a favourable condition factor (1.17), a growth rate similar to other Arctic populations, the presence of old char along with a relatively low fishing mortality, an increase in mean length indicated by harvest samples, and fisher observations, all point to a stable stock. The low fish count of 1992 may be the result of yearly fluctuations in migration into Tugaat River, or may be due to the lack of overwintering capacity, suggesting that the Tugaat River population is, and always was, relatively small.

Open All Close All