Sea Ice Disappears, Spelling Trouble for Greenland’s Trappers
As climate change relentlessly alters the landscape, the vital sea ice that sustains the trapping industry in Greenland is disappearing at an alarming rate, according to the Greenland Climate Research Center, part of the Greenland Institute of Nature.
In Savissivik, a small village home to about 50 residents, experienced trappers are witnessing firsthand the dramatic shifts in ice conditions. These changes have created increasingly challenging circumstances for many families reliant on this age-old tradition.
Big Consequences for Local Livelihoods
The sealskin trade has historically served as the backbone of the local economy in Savissivik. Olennguaq Kristensen, a long-time resident, recalls a time when solid sea ice would arrive as early as October. “This year, we didn’t see passable ice until December,” he explains.
Once they managed to set their seal nets, it didn’t take long for nature to reclaim its ground. “After just two weeks, the ice began to break up, battered by wind and waves, leaving many of us with lost nets.”
Kristensen laments that the newly formed ice is still not stable. “We’re now experiencing warmth at this time of year, which we haven’t seen before. These changing conditions have had a severe impact on our ability to catch seals.”
In addition to his trapping work, Kristensen also facilitates sealskin procurement for the settlement. He notes a stark decrease in his haul from past years, collecting only a few skins per week compared to the numerous skins he used to gather at this time.
Earnings Plummet
Ole Nielsen, another experienced trapper in Savissivik, shares a similar plight, noting a significant drop in his sealskin income. “My last hunting trip was just before Christmas,” he recounts, “but the ice that formed after quickly dissolved due to the winds.”
The lack of stable ice has left trappers unable to reach traditional hunting grounds. “I usually buy over 100 sealskins at this time of year, and I’m nowhere near that this season,” he expresses.
While frigid temperatures still linger, he clings to hope. “I still hope for solid, safe ice this winter,” he says, a sentiment echoed among his peers.
Local authorities, or Naalakkersuisut, offer re-establishment support to those in the trapping, fishing, and farming sectors affected by climate-induced damage. However, both Kristensen and Nielsen have found their applications for this assistance denied, further complicating their financial struggles.
Worsening Conditions Ahead
Lorens Meire, a senior researcher at the Greenland Climate Research Center, warns that the situation is poised to deteriorate even further. “Data indicates that the sea ice has significantly diminished in the Qaanaaq region,” he explains. “Local fishermen have also reported that the ice is thinner and arrives later, disappearing more rapidly than in years past.”
Meire emphasizes that trappers’ observations align with ongoing research. “The warmer temperatures in both the sea and air, combined with stronger winds, are profoundly affecting ice conditions.” He underscores that these troubling trends are evident not only in Northeastern Greenland but across the West Greenland region as a whole.
A Grave Outlook
“It’s a profoundly sad situation, as it has dire implications for the fishing industry and local communities,” Meire notes. While there may be intermittent years when ice is slightly thicker, the trend has been overwhelmingly towards thinner ice over the past three decades—a situation likely to worsen in the years to come.
“The consequences are widespread across Greenland, impacting both terrestrial and marine ecosystems,” he warns. Meire calls for the integration of local insights into the ongoing climate research, urging urgent collaboration between trappers, fishermen, and scientists to address the escalating challenges posed by climate change.