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Fishing has been central to Inuit survival for thousands of years. Today, commercial fisheries for turbot, shrimp, and Arctic char provide economic opportunities while traditional fishing remains vital for food security and cultural continuity.
Iqaluk
Nunavut's most prized fish, harvested commercially and for subsistence. Known for its delicate flavor and bright orange flesh, Arctic char is a cold-water salmonid found throughout the territory.
Nataanarq
The largest commercial fishery in Nunavut waters, Greenland halibut (turbot) is harvested from Davis Strait and Baffin Bay. This deepwater flatfish supports significant Inuit-owned fishing enterprises.
Kinguk
Cold-water shrimp (Pandalus borealis) harvested from offshore waters in the Eastern Arctic. A significant commercial resource that has seen fluctuating quotas based on stock assessments.
Nunavut's commercial fishing industry is managed through allocations from the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB). Inuit-owned enterprises like Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and Arctic Fishery Alliance participate in offshore turbot and shrimp fisheries, while community-based processing facilities handle Arctic char for domestic and export markets.
Subsistence fishing remains essential to Nunavut communities. Fishing through lake ice in winter, at traditional fish camps in summer, and along rivers during spawning runs connects families to the land and provides nutritious country food that is central to Inuit culture and food security.
Nunavut's fisheries are co-managed under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board works with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Hunters and Trappers Organizations (HTOs), and Regional Wildlife Organizations to set quotas, establish management plans, and ensure sustainable harvesting.