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LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendation 1

The Committee recommends that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans immediately enter into negotiations with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and other Nunavut stakeholders to increase Nunavut's share of the David Strait turbot allocation to a level consistent with the practice throughout the rest of Atlantic Canada as documented in the report Historic Resource Access/Provincial Share Groundfish Summary Report. The Minister should demonstrate his commitment to equitable treatment of all Canadians by making every effort to ensure that phase-in of the increase begins no later than the 1999 season.

Recommendation 2

The Committee recommends that the Minister issue at least two groundfish licences to Nunavut fishermen that are no more restrictive with respect to area, species and other conditions than licences held by southern fishermen fishing in the waters off Nunavut. However, the Minister should also take any necessary measures to ensure that the granting of such licences does not increase the overall fishing effort.

Recommendation 3

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans review its policy on access fees for Nunavut and other Atlantic licence holders to ensure that access fees are commensurate with the ability to pay, taking into account expenses including other cost recovery charges.

Recommendation 4

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans encourage the use of gear types other than gillnets in the Davis Strait fixed-gear fishery, particularly the use of long lines.

Recommendation 5

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans enforce regulations that limit soak times for all gear including gillnets to a maximum of72 hours in order to ensure a high product quality and to minimize waste.

Recommendation 6

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans support further research to determine the extent of the "ghost net" fishing problem in Davis Strait area. Depending on the severity of the problem the Department should consider a ghost net retrieval program or additional measures such as biodegradable components in the nets.

Recommendation 7

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans increase funding for research and stock assessments in Division 0A. The Department should consider cooperating with Greenland in research programs in Subareas 0 and 1.

Recommendation 8

The Committee recommends that any access to Division 0A turbot should be limited to Nunavut fishermen and that access to this area should by governed by the precautionary principle until such time as the sensitivity of stocks in this area has been determined.

Recommendation 9

The Committee recommends that Canada fulfil its responsibility for the cooperative international management of migratory marine mammals by participating as a full and active member of the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO).

Recommendation 10

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans increase its research efforts on marine mammal stocks in Nunavut and adjacent waters to a level that will permit determining sustainable harvest levels with an acceptable level of confidence.

Recommendation 11

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans significantly increase the level of monitoring and enforcement of all fisheries, but particularly those of marine mammals.

Recommendation 12

The Committee recommends that the appropriate departments of the federal government work together to find solutions to the problem of high freight costs facing companies operating in Nunavut in order that they can compete with southern companies on a more level playing field.

Recommendation 13

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans consider implementing a gear replacement program for the Pangnirtung turbot fishery that would reduce the cost of gear to a level comparable to that paid by southern fishermen.

Recommendation 14

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans investigate means of making alternative sources of bait available to the fishermen in Pangnirtung at prices comparable to those paid by southern fishermen.

Recommendation 15

The Committee recommends that the federal government and in particular the Department of Fisheries and Oceans make critical information regarding fisheries available to the residents of Nunavut in Inuktitut.

Recommendation 16

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans implement a program to investigate developmental fisheries and, where such fisheries have the potential to be economically viable, to carry out stock assessments to determine sustainable harvest levels. This could include a survey of the kelp resource in the area of Hudson Bay between Arviat and Repulse Bay.

Recommendation 17

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans support an initiative to document the traditional knowledge of the people of Nunavut in order to complement any Department of Fisheries and Oceans research.

Recommendation 18

The Committee recommends that, before Department of Fisheries and Oceans scientific studies are carried out in Nunavut, scientists consult with residents to explain the purpose of the study and to seek input that might help in the design of the study.

Recommendation 19

The Committee recommends that, when a study has been completed, the results of the study be made available to the residents of Nunavut, especially to anyone who participated in the study. If for some reason a study cannot be completed, that also should be made known as a matter of courtesy.

Recommendation 20

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans increase the capacity of the Nunavut Area Office to carry out research and stock assessment in Nunavut.

Recommendation 21

The Committee recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans make a genuine effort to bring the Nunavut Area Office up to its full staff complement as soon as practical and that it encourage the recruitment of Inuit and other permanent Nunavut residents to fill staff positions.

The Committee further recommends that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans provide a full and detailed accounting of its spending of Nunavut implementation funds.

Recommendation 22

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada support the development of transportation infrastructure in Nunavut communities. This includes improving airstrips and also wharves and harbour facilities where fishing can provide much needed economic development.