NunatuKavut Inuit Fisheries Harvesting Plan
On June 18, 2026 we launched our own NCC-led and managed NunatuKavut Inuit Fisheries Harvesting Plan for this upcoming communal fishery season. It establishes the framework for the sustainable, rights-based, and community-led harvesting of fish and marine resources within our territory.
This means we are moving away from a DFO-led fishery to one primarily led and managed by NCC. It is an important part of our self-governance. Over the past several years, NCC have taken steps to manage our own resources and advance food sovereignty within our territory, always with a priority on conservation. For example, we currently have our own guidelines on spring bird and egg harvesting, and we once introduced guidelines and our own tags around caribou hunting. We have also been strengthening our internal governance through the development of a Constitution and Laws to better reflect our Inuit values, traditions and ways of knowing.
This type of harvesting is protected under section 35 of the Constitution Act. Our continued push for access and rightful position in the fishery is about our rights as people living in direct access to the resources off our shores, in our waters. By developing our own communal fishery harvesting plan, we are one step closer to achieving food sovereignty within NunatuKavut through demonstrating leadership in decision-making and long-term strategic planning.
We understand that you may have questions about our NunatuKavut Inuit Fisheries Harvesting Plan and what it will mean for you, as a fisher. A list of Frequently Asked Questions is available below. They have been developed to help respond to some of your anticipated questions.
If you need further information, we invite you to email sighting@nunatukavut.ca. Our Department of Environment and Natural Resources will release further information on the availability of designations and tags in the coming days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NunatuKavut Inuit Fisheries Harvesting Plan?
The NunatuKavut Inuit Fisheries Harvesting Plan, which was approved by NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) Governing Council on June 13, 2026, establishes the framework for the sustainable, rights-based, and community-led harvesting of fish and marine resources within NunatuKavut territory. It is an act of self-governance for NCC and our people.
This plan is grounded in Inuit Knowledge, community stewardship, and the principle of conservation-first management. It builds upon the established Communal Food Fishery Harvest and Conservation Guidelines and reflects the ongoing evolution of NunatuKavut Inuit fisheries governance.
NunatuKavut Inuit have an inherent relationship with fish and marine resources and continue to exercise harvesting rights for food, social, and ceremonial purposes. This plan provides structure, accountability, and sustainability measures to support those rights into the future.
Why are we pursuing our own communal food fishery harvesting plan and not through DFO?
Moving away from a DFO licence and implementing an NCC-led and managed fishery is an important act of self-governance. Over the past several years, NCC have taken steps to manage our own resources and advance food sovereignty within our territory, always with a priority on conservation. For example, we currently have our own guidelines on spring bird and egg harvesting, and we once introduced guidelines and our own tags around caribou hunting. We have also been strengthening our internal governance through the development of a Constitution and Laws to better reflect our Inuit values, traditions and ways of knowing.
This type of harvesting is protected under section 35 of the Constitution Act. This is about our rights and our rights to our food. By developing our own communal fishery harvesting plan, we are moving closer to achieving food sovereignty within NunatuKavut through demonstrating leadership in decision-making and long-term strategic planning.
After years of working towards our own fishery and, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of NCC as an Indigenous governing body, we are asserting our rights as NunatuKavut Inuit to fish in our own waters.
When will the season open?
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Upper Lake Melville — Charlie's Point to Frenchman's Point
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Salmon
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6am June 15, 2026 to 6pm July 8, 2026 and 6am July 20, 2026 to 6pm September 1, 2026
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Trout and Char
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6am May 15, 2026 to 6pm Jun 15, 2027
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Rock Cod, Smelt and Seal
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All Year
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South Coast — Fish Cove Point to Cape Charles
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Salmon, Trout and Char
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6am June 30, 2026 to 6pm August 8, 2026
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Cod and Halibut
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6am June 18, 2026 to 6pm October 31, 2026
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Herring and Mackerel
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6am August 15, 2026 to 6pm September 30, 2026
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Seal Netting
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6am October 15, 2026 to 6pm December 24, 2026
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Rock Cod, Scallop, Whelk, Smelt, Capelin and Seal
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All Year
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Straits — Cape Charles to Point Charles
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Salmon, Trout and Char — one communal net only
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6am June 30, 2026 to 6pm August 8, 2026
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Cod and Halibut
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6am June 18, 2026 to 6pm October 31, 2026
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Herring and Mackerel
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6am August 15, 2026 to 6pm September 30, 2026
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Rock Cod, Scallop, Whelk, Smelt, Capelin and Seal
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All Year
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Are there differences in own communal fishery harvesting plan versus the licence we previously had with DFO?
Yes, there are differences. We will not be fishing under a DFO license. NCC’s harvesting plan privileges Inuit knowledge and our people’s priorities with conservation being top of mind. Our harvesting plan is more flexible and open. It addresses some of the concerns that many of our people have expressed over the years and provides greater access to different areas and different species.
What will DFO enforcement look like under NCC’s communal fishery harvesting plan?
This is an NCC community rights-based fishery, not a DFO-managed fishery. As in previous years, DFO will be monitoring and taking enforcement action. As this plan is not being implemented under a DFO license, you may see increased enforcement by DFO this year. It is important to note that if there are charges, it would be regulatory offence not a criminal offence. A regulatory offence with an Indigenous rights defence, however, can result in a prolonged legal dispute in the court system.
In the event of enforcement action, we ask that our fishers cooperate with DFO and NCC Guardians.
Will a charge impact my job in the public service or being hired in the public service?
A charge from DFO will not directly impact jobs in public service, unless working with fisheries or enforcement. It is a regulatory offence so not subject to criminal code provisions. Basically, like a parking ticket in terms of impact to criminal record search. It will show up for an advanced clearance or search, but that will be for very slim jobs (i.e. CSIS, Office of the Prime Minister, etc.)
Will NCC provide support if I am charged by DFO?
Yes, NCC will support any fishers that have enforcement action taken against them under our fishery, as long as they are compliant with our guidelines. For example, we will not support members who are caught taking more fish than set out in the guidelines or those who fish outside of the set hours or dates.
Will there still be tags for salmon?
Yes, there will be tags with NCC branding. The number of salmon tags for resident fishers will remain at six, the number for alternate designations will remain at four, and the number for non-resident fishers will continue to be three.
Are there any changes to the guidelines under this fishery?
Yes. We encourage you to read the guidelines closely to note any changes. Here are some highlights:
- More designations are available. We have increased the number of tags available to non-resident members from 150 to 300 in South Coast fishery only. This does not change the total allocation of tags (three) or other policies related to non-resident fishers.
- More salmon will be available in our community freezer.
- New species (smelt, rock cod, and seals) are added to the Upper Lake Melville area.
- A new area “Straits – Cape Charles to Point Charles” has been added for salmon, trout, char, cod, halibut, herring, mackerel, rock cod, scallop, whelk, smelt, capelin, and seals.
As a non-resident, can I now fish in my own boat?
If a non-resident fisher wants to fish in their own boat and set their own net, please forward an email outlining your situation and rationale to Charlene at ckippenhuck@nunatukavut.ca. She will then bring it to the NCC Fisheries Committee for a decision.
How will this plan impact full members – non-resident fishers?
Full members – non-resident fishers will be able to harvest fish within the south coast area of NunatuKavut, as they have in previous years, with three salmon tags available to each designated household fisher. The only change is the number of tags available to non-resident fishers overall, from 150 to 300.
What is the risk to my non-member family member who accompanies me while I fish under NCC’s communal food fishery harvesting plan?
There is a possibility that your non-member family member may be charged and may not have a valid legal defence since they have no Indigenous right to fish. NCC can only support members who participate in our communal fishery.
How will this plan be enforced/regulated by NCC?
An NCC-led and managed fishery means that NCC takes on more responsibilities as an organization and our fishers, as citizens of our collective, also takes on more responsibility to ensure conservation measures are taken and guidelines are followed. This is not just for the sustainability of this fishery for the present but for future generations.
Our formal Fisheries Guardian Program was designed to support the management, protection and enforcement of the previous DFO licence and fishing regulations under the DFO Food Fishery Management Agreement. While NCC Guardians will continue to enforce the guidelines set out under our fisheries management plan, they will now have more enforcement abilities.
Why is it important to continue returning my catch log and participate in the salmon sampling program?
NCC is committed to managing this fishery on behalf of NunatuKavut Inuit. To do that responsibly, we must set harvest parameters that protect the long‑term sustainability of our salmon. Monitoring and accurate catch reporting are essential parts of sustainable management. For this reason, every designated fisher is required to complete and return a catch log.
The information collected through catch logs and the salmon sampling program helps the NCC Fisheries Committee and the ENR Department make informed decisions about how to manage our fishery. The more accurate the information, the better we can analyze trends and understand what is happening on the water.
This data helps us understand:
- how many designates did not fish
- how long it took to fill tags
- how to manage tag distribution
- whether the season should open earlier or later
- whether the season should be longer or shorter
- long‑term indicators of salmon health
- changes in salmon behaviour or movement patterns
- whether fishers are catching larger or smaller salmon over time
- environmental changes, such as new species or increased seal presence
- whether productivity in specific NunatuKavut fishing areas is changing
- where our traditional fishing places continue to be used
How will this impact our relationship with DFO?
Our relationship with DFO is very important one. It has been for decades and will be now and into the future. We will continue to work with DFO in a cooperative and respectful manner.