Lawrence Ruben utilizes an electric auger to bore a hole through approximately six inches of ice on the Hornaday River to the east of Paulatuk, N.W.T. The machine completes the task in just four seconds, causing water and crushed ice to surge to the surface as he withdraws the spiraled blade. Turning to his daughter, Ruben humorously remarks, “the best contraption since sliced bread,” eliciting laughter from both before proceeding to drill the next hole. The Hornaday River is a 25-minute ATV ride from Paulatuk, located eight kilometers away. Ruben and his wife, Dianne, have constructed a 16-by-16 foot cabin near the riverbank, a serene place where they often unwind and engage in Arctic char fishing.
During a recent outing with their daughter and son-in-law, the group did not have much success in catching Arctic char. In the past, Arctic char in the Paulatuk region typically spent the winter in the Hornaday and Brock rivers before returning to Darnley Bay and the Arctic Ocean. However, Ruben noted that the movements of the char have become unpredictable, with fewer catches in recent fishing efforts. In response to these changes, the community has partnered with Fisheries and Oceans Canada on a collaborative research project. Last July, they caught and tagged 38 Arctic char with acoustic monitors to gain insights into the fish’s whereabouts and behaviors.
Federal scientists and local harvesters spent four weeks capturing Arctic char at various locations around Darnley Bay and implanting acoustic transmitter tags within them. Additionally, 33 receivers were installed in the Arctic Ocean to track the fish’s movements. The acoustic tags emit high-frequency signals undetectable to humans, which are picked up by the receivers as the fish pass by. The data collected will provide valuable information on the fish’s migration patterns and habitat preferences.
The research aims to shed light on the critical areas for Arctic char in Darnley Bay and understand their seasonal movements. With the changing Arctic landscape and climate, including thinning sea ice and altered ice breakup patterns, the study seeks to offer insights into how these environmental changes may impact the fish’s behavior and habitat usage. The acoustic tags have a lifespan of four years, allowing researchers to track the fish over an extended period and potentially uncover the triggers for their migrations.
In addition to the acoustic tags, each fish has been externally tagged for identification. If any tagged fish are caught by harvesters, they can choose to release the fish back into the water or return the transmitter to the local hunters and trappers committee for a reward. The research team plans to retrieve the receivers next summer to analyze the data collected and gain a comprehensive understanding of the Arctic char population in the region.
Lawrence Ruben and his wife have observed significant changes in the region due to climate change, recalling the early signs in 2010 when the river system started exhibiting alterations. The timing of ice breakup and erosion along the riverbanks has impacted the habitat for Arctic char, with noticeable effects on spawning grounds. Despite these challenges, Ruben remains committed to preserving the importance of Arctic char as a vital subsistence resource for the community of Paulatuk, emphasizing its significance in sustaining their way of life.
