A study of the physical condition of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in the Deception Bay region

The high cost and low quality of meat sold in the north make subsistence fishing and hunting of vital importance to the Inuit. Accordingly, the reported decline in the condition of Arctic charr from the Deception River was of concern to all stakeholders, e.g., Government, local industry, but particularly to the Inuit and their representatives. To complete the research proposed here, a MSc student intern, sponsored by Makivik Corporation, will collaborate with key government biologists and representatives of the local Raglan Mine to sample recently over-wintered and post-feeding migration fish from the Deception River and compare their biological status to that of other Arctic populations in northern Quebec. In collaboration with scientists from the University of Waterloo and INRS (Quebec City), the intern will establish the significance of reported declines in condition and examine linkages between condition, patterns of feeding at sea and during the winter and heavy metal contaminants. Findings will be used both to help resource managers at Makivik and in Government ensure the sustainability of high quality fish for the Inuit, thereby helping to better the local Inuit economy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Michael Power;Patrice Couture

Student:

Partner:

Glencore Canada Corporation - Raglan Mine;Makivik Corporation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Mining

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: