Ulukhaktok Summer Coastal Char Harvest Monitoring 2025-2027

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has a requirement to to collect and harvest biological data from subsistence and commercially caught Arctic char by the community of Ulukhaktok. This data must be used by the Olokhaktomiut Hunters and Trappers Committee (OHTC), Fisheries Joint Management Committee (FJMC) and Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to evaluate the current state of harvesting and fisheries resources in the Ulukhaktok area.

The Contractor must provide two (2) summer coastal harvest Monitors to collect harvest and biological information and samples from Arctic char caught by the community of Ulukhaktok during the summer coastal fishery.

The Contractor must

i. Sample a minimum of 300 Arctic char between the start and completion dates.

ii. Collect and record information from harvesters’ nets (subsistence and/or commercial) which include location, soak time; species and total number of fish captured, net length and mesh size, as well as any other observations.

iii. Collect biological information and samples whenever possible from Arctic char by harvesters, providing that harvesters voluntarily offer their harvest for sampling. Biological samples shall include the following: fork length, round weight, sex and maturity, two otoliths per fish for age estimation, fin clips for genetic analyses, kidney sample, stomach samples for diet analysis and tissue samples for the assessment of contaminants and/or diet analysis.

iv. Keep a logbook of weather and ocean conditions, as well as number and location of harvesters the Monitors observed along the coast, regardless of whether they were interviewed or asked for samples.

v. Accurately complete data forms and collect and record relevant information for biological samples taken.

The Contractor must

i. Work together with the Project Authority on this project.

ii. Have their own boat and ATV in good operating condition and be willing to use these for transportation between harvesting sites along the coast for day trips.

iii. Work in the area for which the community fishery is occurring, focusing on the fishing locations near Ulukhaktok, but the geographic range of their sampling may include along the coast from Kidjivik to Anialik, with direction from the OHTC as necessary (locations are still within distances accomplishable by day trips during good weather conditions).

iv. Have experience with and knowledge of the coastal subsistence Arctic char fishery and must have and maintain good rapport with the fishermen.

v. Provide their own outdoor clothing and gear as these are not provided by the project.

vi. Report to the Contractor (OHTC) on a weekly basis at a minimum when the DFO biologist is not present.