If results of a multi-year redfish survey show that the species is abundant and in good health, the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation will have a new commercial fish to add to its roster.
Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) has long fished for turbot and shrimp. Now QC is teaming with Ocean Choice — a longstanding Atlantic Canadian fishery that promotes seafood sustainability — to study redfish in a fisheries area designated as 0B, off the southeastern coast of Baffin Island.
“To ensure that Nunavut has continuity in its offshore fishery sector, it is essential that we do the needed multi-year research to add another commercial species to our existing offshore shrimp and turbot fishery, and we hope that redfish will provide this opportunity,” stated Olayuk Akesuk, QC’s chairman, on Aug. 9.
Harry Flaherty, QC’s president and CEO, added that the corporation is “focused on increasing fishery surveys in both the inshore and the offshore sectors in the Qikiqtani region and committing the funding required in cooperation with CanNor (the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency) and the GN Department of Economic Development and Transportation to make it happen.”
QC had already announced another multi-year research project involving Kinngait and Sanikiluaq with the use of the research vessel Ludy Pudluk.
This redfish survey will be conducted with assistance from the Ocean Choice vessel Katsheshuk.
“For the Canadian seafood industry to continue to lead the way when it comes to sustainable fisheries management, we need good science to drive decision making particularly in data poor regions such as the
Eastern Arctic. Through collaborations such as this we will gain insight on this very important species that will hopefully result in a viable commercial fishery for Nunavut in the future,” said Blaine Sullivan, president of Ocean Choice.