IQALUIT, NU, October 24, 2022

“Qikiqtaaluk Corporation (QC) is excited to advance its commitment to Qikiqtani inshore fisheries by partnering with the Fisheries and Marine Institute (MI) of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador (MUN) in establishing the QC chair in Qikiqtani inshore fisheries science, training and education. The position is located at the Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources (CSAR) at the Marine Institute”, states Mr. Peter Keenainak, Vice-President – Fisheries with QC.

This position is part of a five-year partnership between Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, the Marine Institute and Nunavut Arctic College to develop capacity in education, training, research and development in inshore fisheries science in the Qikiqtani region of Nunavut.

Kevin Anderson, Head of MI’s School of Fisheries states “Dr. Scott Grant, with extensive experience from some 20 years of doing fisheries research in Nunavut will be the Chair. Scott will lead education, research and training initiatives focused on the distribution and abundance of marine resources in coastal communities in the Qikiqtani region, life history characteristics for species of interest, as well as sustainable harvesting techniques and fishing gears that minimize environmental impacts and build on traditional ecological knowledge.”

“Dr. Grant has been leading the programming for QC’s inshore fisheries research and training program on the Ludy Pudluk over the past two years, initiating important community-based research in four member communities in the Qikiqtani region”, commented Mr. Jerry Ward, QC’s Director of Fisheries, “This Chair position will enable Scott to focus 100% on this important work and help provide the research positions required for a successful program over the next five years”.

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to continue to support communities in Nunavut as they seek to evaluate the potential for fisheries development in support of food security and/or commercial development”, stated Dr. Grant, “Our role is to help these communities gather the research data needed to assess their development potential, in large part utilizing local vessels and crews. We are offering our experience in emerging fisheries research and development to these communities to help guide them through the regulatory process, based on the wishes and decisions of the communities themselves.”

About QC Fisheries Division:

QC Fisheries Division oversees all fishery and marine-related activities in the QC group of companies. We manage and distribute QC’s fishing quota and its portion of Unaaq quota, as well as fishing allocations received through the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board’s Access and Allocations process.
The QC Fisheries Division is dedicated to helping Nunavut’s fishing industry. The division represents the company on various fishery-related boards, agencies and associations. We advocate for fair and equitable allocations and the repatriation of quotas in Nunavut’s adjacent waters.

About the Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources (CSAR), Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University:

The Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources (CSAR), located in the School of Fisheries at the Marine Institute, is focused on research and development, technology transfer and educational services for the global fishing industry (www.mi.mun.ca/csar).
CSAR’s education, training and research programs include conservation engineering, fishing gear design and testing, and fisheries science for emerging species. The centre operates the world’s largest flume tank (22 metres) dedicated to hydrodynamic testing, primarily for the harvesting and ocean technology sectors.