Heidi Swanson, Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology
Fish can become stranded in Nunavut rivers as climate change leads to record warming and slowing river flows.
Inuit who rely on Arctic char from the Coppermine River for subsistence asked Heidi Swanson why their supply was diminishing, and what could be done. Responding to their concerns, Swanson and her team are working side-by-side with local fishers, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and Government of Nunavut to identify streams used by migrating fish that can be restored to increase fish passage.
A restoration plan will follow and locals will be trained in science monitoring techniques that, when combined with their traditional knowledge, can be used to ensure fish remain plentiful into the future.
“Food security, as many people know, is really tough in the Canadian Arctic and fish is a major source of food. People are really worried about Arctic char. We really want to get a handle on what these char are doing so that we can better manage them as we go into future scenarios of climate change and resource development.” CBC Radio International, May 12, 2018
