Minister, NTI remind hunters about ban on Baffin caribou hunt

The Nunavut government and Nunavut Tunngavik are working together to remind hunters of the temporary ban on caribou hunting on Baffin Island.

The Nunavut government announced the ban in December. It came into effect Jan. 1.

The ban is based on the latest government surveys of caribou that showed that the once-abundant caribou population on Baffin Island has dropped by about 95 per cent over estimates in the 1990s.

Environment officials say it could be due to a combination of the natural fluctuation in caribou numbers and increased pressure from hunting.

"I can understand there is some frustration," said Johnny Mike, Nunavut's Environment minister.

"But I think also at the same time there is enough information that was gathered and delivered to the communities."

Mike says local hunters and trappers groups were consulted.

James Eetoolook, vice-president of Nunavut Tunngavik, says the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board also gathered information on the dwindling herd.

"During some of our meetings it came from local hunters and trappers," he said of the concerns about caribou numbers.

"People have known this for quite some time and the hunters know best because they go out sometimes on a daily basis. The numbers have been decreasing rapidly."

The interim ban on hunting was announced following a major meeting of caribou partners in November in Iqaluit.

Another meeting about the caribou situation is expected to take place in March.

It will be held after the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board completes its public consultations.