Modern Treaties in Canada: A One Hour Course → Wildlife, Fish and Forest Management Organizations

Wildlife, Fish and Forest Management Organizations

Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and Hunters and Trappers Associations

Residents of Coral Harbour conduct a polar bear denning survey. Organizations such as NWMB support and conduct wildlife research projects and bring stakeholders together to make decisions about wildlife and resources.

The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) was established in accordance with the Nunavut Agreement. The NWMB is the main instrument of wildlife management in the Nunavut Settlement Area, with a broad mandate that includes:

Participating in and facilitating wildlife research
Collecting and applying Inuit cultural values in decision-making
Establishing harvest limits
Reviewing and approving draft wildlife management plans provided by government
Advising the Nunavut Planning Board regarding habitat-related planning recommendations
Advising the Nunavut Impact Review Board regarding habitat mitigation measures

In addition to the NWMB, the Nunavut Agreement specifies that each community in Nunavut will have a separate hunters and trappers organization (HTO). The powers and functions of these HTOs include regulation of harvesting practices and techniques, determination of harvesting levels, and general management of harvesting at the local level.