Stewardship & Sustainability
Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Area
In 2025, the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) celebrated the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA), one Labrador’s most remarkable marine ecosystems. Developed in 2005 through a partnership between NCC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and local residents, Gilbert Bay is one of Canada’s oldest MPAs and an early example of community-driven conservation in action.
The effort to protect Gilbert Bay began with local fishers and residents. They observed that the “Golden cod,” later confirmed to be a genetically distinct population of Atlantic cod found only in these waters, was unique and potentially at risk. The concern for the cod and its habitat sparked the early conversations that eventually led to the establishment of the MPA.
Gilbert Bay stands as a testament to what can be achieved when science and community come together. For two decades, local knowledge holders, researchers, and fishers have worked side by side to monitor changes, protect habitats, and keep these waters healthy for future generations of the people and the fish.
Today, the MPA continues to be guided by a collaborative advisory committee made up of representatives from government, local knowledge holders, and fishers. This partnership ensures that decisions reflect both scientific research and the lived experience of those who know the bay best.
Since its designation, the Gilbert Bay MPA has supported long-term monitoring, habitat research, and youth engagement programs that celebrate the bay’s ecological and cultural significance. The collaboration has deepened understanding of coastal ecosystems and demonstrated how community leadership and traditional knowledge can guide effective marine conservation.
As one of the country’s earliest MPAs, Gilbert Bay continues to lead by example, showing how Inuit stewardship, shared knowledge, and collective care can protect marine life and sustain coastal communities for generations to come.
To read more on the story of the Gilbert Bay MPA, please visit our story map page found here.
Communal Fishery
NunatuKavut Inuit have a deep cultural and economic connection to the fishery. Each year, NCC issues designations for salmon, trout, char and cod. Members are strongly encouraged to return catch logs, which provides crucial information for the monitoring and analysis of designations, as well as fish stock variations. NCC continues to collaborate with DFO through the implementation of a Contribution Agreement under the Federal Aboriginal Fishing Strategy to accomplish mutual objectives while protecting and promoting our rights to harvest fish.
Below are the catch logs for each species that forms part of our Communal Fishery Program:
NCC Salmon Catch Log 2025 Form
NCC Halibut Catch Log 2025 Form
Department of Environment and Natural Resources staff also oversee the Community Freezer Program. More information on this important program can be found here.
4Right Community Energy Planning
This research project sought to extend NunatuKavut’s sustainability initiative to consider and address energy-related challenges in the pilot communities.
The primary goal of the research program is to develop community-driven sustainable energy actions plans for each pilot community. The action-plans will outline the impacts of existing energy systems; community member concerns; preferences for renewable energy and energy efficiency options; as well priorities for the future. A report was released the end of October 2018 to share the preliminary findings of the research. It can be downloaded at the following link:
The Executive Summary can be downloaded here:
Partner Community Expansion: ‘4RIGHT’ Energy Planning in NunatuKavut, Labrador
The goal of this current research is to expand beyond the initial three partner communities (Black Tickle, St. Lewis [Fox Harbour], and Norman Bay) to include six new communities in energy planning research: Port Hope Simpson, Mary’s Harbour, Lodge Bay, Charlottetown, Pinsent’s Arm, and Cartwright. The research seeks to determine:
How do existing energy systems (based off diesel-fired electricity and home heat) affect the economic, environmental, and societal sustainability of communities?
How can a participatory and community-based assessment of sustainable energy technologies facilitate the improvement of energy sustainability in NunatuKavut Inuit communities?
A copy of the preliminary report can be downloaded by clicking on the link below: