Local Knowledge in Quota Allocations: A Call for Clarity
In a recent move aimed at enhancing transparency and local engagement, Nivi Rosing, a member of the Inatsisartut for the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, is seeking clarification from the Naalakkersuisut. Her focus is on Clause 37 questions regarding whether future quota allocations for restricted game animals should prioritize local knowledge.
Peter Borg, the Demokraatit representative and current Nalaakkersuisoq for Fisheries, Catching, Self-Sufficiency, and the Environment, underscores the importance of incorporating insights from trappers and users. According to him, the Inatsisartutlov on catching and hunting mandates that these perspectives be expressed through key organizations, including catch councils.
Rosing cites a successful model in Nunavut, Canada, where integrating local knowledge has prompted authorities to increase quotas for beluga and narwhal. Inspired by this, she pledges to advocate for similar measures in Greenland’s legislation surrounding trapping and hunting.
Modernization of the Law
In response to Rosing’s inquiries, the Naalakkersuisut has confirmed adherence to the latest 2023 laws on trapping and hunting, with amendments rolling out in 2024. These changes authorize municipal involvement and allow registered citizens to take part in quota administration.
Peter Borg emphasizes the egalitarian approach of Greenland’s regulations, noting that all registered citizens are treated equally, regardless of indigenous status. However, provisions exist for certain quota species, requiring a two-year residency period for obtaining a license.
“The trapping and hunting laws have been modernized,” Borg explains, adding that these measures will be put into practice through specific species orders and decisions from the Naalakkersuisut. The aim is to ease access for both municipalities and individuals seeking licenses for quota and non-quota species.
Additional efforts include the digitization of hunting licenses and reporting systems for key species like caribou and musk oxen, signaling a commitment to efficient and accessible resource management.
Inclusive Legislative Process
Borg also highlights the ongoing commitment to transparent policymaking, stating that the Naalakkersuisut adheres to requirements for public hearings on legislative modifications and quota allocations. When draft laws are proposed, they undergo consultation processes involving citizens and stakeholders, including representatives from local fishermen’s organizations and municipal leaders. This framework ensures that the voices of Greenland’s citizens play a pivotal role in shaping decisions.
Biologically Sound Utilization
The primary goal of the Inatsisartut Act on catching and hunting is to promote sustainable and biologically sound utilization of natural resources. Relying on established biological advice, the law emphasizes the importance of incorporating user knowledge, alongside recreational and cultural needs.
Borg highlights the collaborative efforts of the Greenland Nature Institute, which engages local communities in biological studies and actively seeks insight from trappers about their experiences with game animals and their habitats. This grassroots involvement culminates in comprehensive biological reports that inform the quota-setting process.
Engaging Catchers
Greenland’s active participation in various bilateral, regional, and international organizations ensures that local interests are represented. Notably, the KNAPK serves as an observer, providing input during meetings and workshops to share local expertise on fishing gear and techniques.
In fact, a recent NAMMCO-organized workshop featured presentations from Greenlandic catchers, showcasing traditional and contemporary fishing methodologies. The insights from these discussions have also contributed to developing catch manuals designed for widespread distribution among local municipalities and organizations.
Advancing Local Knowledge
This past summer, Rosing took part in the Marralik-Ungunniavik Project, a Canadian initiative focused on protecting the rights of indigenous peoples in sustainable fishing practices. Her experience reinforced the critical role that local knowledge plays in quota allocation.
She refers to a situation in Nunavik, where a lack of quota for minke and beluga in a designated area persisted for forty years. However, after incorporating local expertise, authorities determined that sustainable quotas could indeed be set, allowing fishing to resume.
With support from KNAPK, Rosing remains committed to ensuring that similar strategies are woven into Greenland’s trapping and hunting legislation, advocating for a future where local wisdom is valued and integral to resource management.