Challenges Mount for Qaanaaq’s Fishermen and Trappers Amid Economic Hardships
In the northern reaches of Greenland, the communities of Qaanaaq, Siorapaluk, Savissivik, and Qeqertaq are grappling with an unprecedented economic downturn. The situation has struck particularly hard at the start of the year, leaving families who depend on fishing and trapping to face significant hardships.
According to the business department of Avannaata Kommunia in Qaanaaq, there have been around 50 applications for temporary financial assistance submitted to the Department of Fisheries and Catching.
A Struggling Business Landscape
David Qujaukitsoq, the director of the business department in Qaanaaq, has been closely observing the troubling dynamics at play. He notes, “The local economy is experiencing a challenging year, especially for those families reliant solely on fishing and trapping.”
This downturn has been exacerbated by a notable decrease in cruise ship arrivals compared to last year, leading to a downturn in tourism revenues. Qujaukitsoq points out that restrictions on exporting hides, bones, and skins have further hampered income for trappers. Moreover, the scarcity of sled dogs in winter makes it imperative to diversify tourism offerings and explore alternative income streams.
“Fishing culture in and around Qaanaaq presents significant potential for tourism development,” Qujaukitsoq adds, “but the unpredictable air traffic conditions often pose a significant hurdle.”
Compounding these economic struggles, climate change has further eroded the livelihoods of both trappers and fishermen.
Rising Requests for Aid
The challenging local business conditions have prompted around 50 families in the region—mostly fishermen and trappers—to seek financial aid from the Department of Fisheries and Catching.
“Our halibut fishery, which typically thrives at this time of year, has been severely affected due to climate change,” Qujaukitsoq explains. “Although the fishing season would normally be underway, it has yet to commence this year, leading to a notable increase in emergency aid applications compared to prior years.”
Some trappers had success hunting narwhals in early October, but most have seen little income since then.
The Seal Situation
In Savissivik, the absence of processing facilities for seal products adds another layer of difficulty. For many families, earnings from seal skins represent a crucial source of income. Sadly, climate change has delayed ice formation, which is essential for seal hunting. “While we’re currently employing net hunting methods,” Ole Nielsen, a trapper from Savissivik, remarks, “the seal catch has been disappointing this year.”
He explains that in past years, ice conditions would be more favorable by late October. “Now, only the coastal areas are beginning to freeze, which has severely limited our catch,” he adds. Nielsen and his wife, Atugsuk Petersen Suersaq, both contribute to the local economy, raising five children while navigating these challenging conditions.
A Decline in Fishing
Historically, halibut fishing through the ice in Qaanaaq has provided a vital income source, but fisherman and trapper Tobias Simigaq mentions that changing sea ice conditions have significantly diminished catches this year. “Our halibut numbers are down sharply,” he says, noting that while the walrus population in the area is thriving, they cannot sustain year-round income for families.
Meanwhile, Ujuut Olsen, director of the fish factory in Qaanaaq—a collaborative venture of Inughuit Seafood and Royal Greenland—confirms the struggles. Although the procurement of narwhal food has slightly improved from last year, only around 60 tonnes of halibut have been caught.
As these communities continue to navigate these turbulent economic waters, the hope is that sustained advocacy and innovation may yet provide a lifeline for the trappers and fishermen of Qaanaaq.