Oceans North

The effects of the plastics crisis in Inuit Nunangat communities are disproportionately large given their contribution to the problem ‼️

Historically, Canada’s Arctic was relatively free of waste.

Today, ocean currents convey plastics north from around the globe, while heavily packaged products are brought up from the south to communities that don’t have enough waste management infrastructure.

Inuit populations are already exposed to some of the highest levels of environmental contaminants, and as communities continue to practice wildlife harvesting, legacy chemicals found in plastics ingested by animals can pose human health and food security issues.

Achieving a waste-free Arctic requires international co-operation through a strong

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Tomorrow we’ll share insights from an Oceans North report on waste in the Arctic, and the role of the in reaching a waste-free Arctic—stay tuned!

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🐋 Recent research backs what Inuk hunters have long known about one of the Arctic’s most unique creatures.

A new CBC article highlights the role of Oceans North’s acoustic monitoring program in reaffirming local observations of how narwhal are responding to ship noise in Eclipse Sound, Nunavut.

As reporter Avery Zingel explains, a recent study by , (), and the Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Organization echoes observations from community members that narwhal are more sensitive to underwater noise from shipping vessels, cruise ships, and yachts than scientists previously thought and what is recognized by current maritime guidelines.

"It seemed to be an understood fact, prior to our research, that narwhal were only affected [by ships] in close range. But, when you speak to the hunters and the elders, that's just not been the case," says Alex Ootoowak, Field Technician at Oceans North and co-author of the study.

In the article, Ootoowak, an Inuk hunter himself, discusses changes in narwhal presence in Eclipse Sound, recalling previous abundance of the iconic marine mammal.

"You were just constantly hunting and enjoying the view of hundreds and hundreds of narwhal passing by…I want the later generations to see what I saw," says Ootoowak.

The acoustic monitoring program aims to inform management of the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area, as well as future protected areas. Its outcomes will also be used by the Nunavut Impact Review Board when assessing development in the region.

🔗 Read the full article—link in bio!

🐋 Can someone tell us why there isn’t a narwhal emoji?

Researchers from , , and the Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Organization published a new study on narwhal response to underwater noise in Eclipse Sound, Nunavut, providing new insight into how industrial activity is affecting this important species.

Here’s how they did it👇

FIRST, the team recorded changes in narwhal acoustic presence using passive acoustic monitoring of echolocation clicks (i.e., the noises that narwhals emit to perceive their surroundings).

NEXT, they used satellite ship tracking information and remote sensing environmental data to track the changing oceanscape of Eclipse Sound.

LASTLY, the team put this information together to assess the relationship between narwhal behaviour, time of year, sea ice concentration, and ship proximity.

🔗Check out their full findings at the link in our bio!

Today is Nunavut Day 🤩

On July 9th, we celebrate the beauty and spirit of Nunavut and the communities that call it home.

Nunavut Day commemorates the creation of Nunavut as a distinct territory under the 1999 Nunavut Land Claim Agreement and Nunavut Act.

At Oceans North, July 9th also serves as a reminder of just how grateful we are to work alongside Nunavummiut, as we work to address challenges facing Arctic ecosystems and communities.

📸 Here are a few of our favourite shots from our time around beautiful Tallurutiup Imanga