Supporting the Community of Sanikiluaq, Canada to Achieve Sustainable Fisheries and Infrastructure Planning

In 2021, PolArctic was tasked with mapping the nearshore areas and fisheries for the community of Sanikiluaq, Canada.

The goal was to incorporate traditional indigenous knowledge with modern scientific methods to enhance local fisheries management and support infrastructure planning. This research was validated with the deployment of the Indigenous-owned Luddy Pudluck research vessel.

By the conclusion of the project, we successfully achieved:

• Mapped ecosystem habitats leveraging traditional Indigenous knowledge, ensuring culturally sensitive and ecologically accurate outcomes.

• Identified new locations for inshore fisheries, validated by scientific research, which supported the community in planning for developing a commercial inshore fishery.

• Coastal nearshore mapping for the community identifying areas of risk not listed on nautical charts.

The project not only empowered the Sanikiliq community by bolstering their commercial fishing capabilities but also laid a foundation for informed infrastructure development, blending traditional knowledge with modern science for a sustainable future.