Co-Management of Beluga Whales in Nunavik (Arctic Quebec), Canada

Abstract

"Since 1996, Nunavik Inuit of Northern Quebec, Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada have been engaged in the co-management of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in the Nunavik region of Arctic Canada. However, this co management system has not functioned effectively in terms of resource management and use. The aim of this paper is to explore why serious problems have been encountered in the implementation of co-management and use of common marine resources such as beluga whale stocks in Arctic Quebec. First, I review changes in the co-management practices in the Nunavik region from 1996 to 2002. Second, I point out several problems related to these changes. The problems include decision making procedures, bureaucratic problems, and conflicts between the use of indigenous knowledge and that of scientific knowledge, etc. Finally, I propose one possible solution to the problems, employing Berkes' concept of 'cross-scale institutional linkages.'"