Debates of October 17, 2006 (day 9)
Member’s Statement On Beluga Whales Feeding In Husky Lake
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to start by welcoming my colleagues on their safe return to Yellowknife for the Fifth Session of the 15th Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, since late August and through the month of September 2006 and to this day, there are over 200 beluga whales feeding in our traditional territorial Husky Lakes. The Inuvialuit utilize Husky Lakes as a traditional lake for fishing and hunting ground in the spring, fall and winter for subsistence purposes. The Inuvialuit are known to respect all wildlife and marine mammals. The Tuktoyaktuk Hunters' and Trappers' Committee, as well as all Inuvialuit, are concerned about the well being of these beluga whales and would like the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to try and rescue these whales.
Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time the beluga whales have been spotted in Husky Lakes. About 10 years ago, there were a number of beluga whales trapped in Husky Lakes. At that time, Mr. Speaker, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans assisted the Tuktoyaktuk Hunters' and Trappers' Committee by providing funding to harvest the beluga whales and distribute the muktuk and meat to the outlying communities. Presently, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans have indicated that they are monitoring the situation. However, if a position is not made to herd or harvest the whales, the survival of these beluga whales is diminishing.
Mr. Speaker, we are in the middle of October 2006 and the Tuktoyaktuk Hunters' and Trappers' Committee is concerned that if the beluga whales do not find their way out, they will die because of the upcoming freeze-up. The concern raised to date by the Tuk Hunters' and Trappers' Committee is they need to find funding to either try and herd the whales out or to harvest them as they did 10 years ago. Why is the Department of Fisheries and Oceans taking so long to find a solution to herd these beluga whales out of Husky Lakes?
In closing, Mr. Speaker, is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources speaking with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to find the solution to herd or harvest the beluga whales? If so, what are the plans? If not, how come? Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause