Wildlife Management in the GSA

In collaboration with other agencies and government departments, the Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board has participated in the elaboration of management plans for some wildlife species of the GSA:

Cape Bathurst, Bluenose West and Bluenose East Caribou Herds Management Plan

In response to recent declines in the numbers of these caribou herds, the GRRB has been working with other co-management boards that share wildlife management responsibilities for these caribou to draft a new management plan for these herds. The drafting process has been overseen by the ACCWM (the Advisory Committee for Cooperation on Wildlife Management), which is a committee that consists of the Chairpersons (or alternate appointees) of the Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board, Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NWT), Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, Wek’èezhìi Renewable Resources Board, Kitikmeot Regional Wildlife Board, Tuktut Nogait National Park Management Board, and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board. This committee works together to facilitate cooperation of management for populations of wildlife that cross the management boundaries of individual co-management boards, such as these three herds of caribou (once known only as the Bluenose caribou herd). The ACCWM commissioned a working group to create an updated management plan for these caribou herds. In addition to technical staff from each of the boards represented on the ACCWM, representatives from the GNWT (ENR), GNW (DoE) and Parks Canada also joined the working group at the invitation of the ACCWM. The Deh Cho First Nation is also an active member of the working group. The Tlicho government participated as observers at some working group meetings. In late 2009 and early 2010, working group members, with the assistance of Terriplan Consultants, held public meetings to get input from Renewable Resources Councils, Hunters and Trappers Committees and other users on what community members wanted to see in a management plan. Following those meetings, the working group continued work with Terriplan Consultants to use the input given at these meetings to draft a management plan. The first draft of the plan was completed in December of 2010 and was again reviewed by the co-management boards, community Renewable Resources Councils and Hunter and Trapper Committees with additional input given via public meetings in the communities; the GRRB held meetings in the GSA with RRCs and communities in February 2011. Following this second round of meetings, the plan has been revised using the new comments and input given and the ACCWM has recommended that each co-management board complete its own official review of the revised version of the draft management plan.

In the GSA, the GRRB has been following its consultation policy throughout this process. Meetings with all Gwich’in Renewable Resources Councils to review the revised draft management plan (May 2011 version) are being held in August 2011 and these meetings are open to the public. As with the first draft of the management plan, the Gwich’in Tribal Council has been invited to comment on the current draft of the plan and is welcome to submit comments and attend scheduled consultation meetings. The public comment period to the GRRB closes September 5. Other wildlife management authorities involved in this process are also following their own policies for review and approval of the management plan.

For more information, download a copy of the draft plan and a summary of Key Points below. Associated consultation documents and comments on the plan can be found at the GRRB’s online Public Registry.

Draft Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-West, Bluenose East Caribou Herds Management Plan – May 2011 version

Summary of Key Points – Draft CB BNW BNE Management Plan

Porcupine Caribou Harvest Management Plan

Best estimates put the Porcupine Caribou herd’s current population at 90,000 to 100,000 animals, indicating a continued slow decline from 178,000 caribou in 1989. This herd ranges close to eight communities in five aboriginal land claim areas in two territories in Canada, as well as ranging into Alaska. The Harvest Management Plan coordinates management actions in Canada for this herd and allows for proactive, responsible management and use of the herd.

The GRRB will be assisting Parties to the Plan in implementing management actions and will be continuing to collect harvest information through community interviews. The herd is currently in the Green Zone, indicating that the management actions supported by all parties are for harvesters to Sight in Your Rifle before hunting, Take only what you need (licensed hunters require tag), Retrieve Wounded Animals, and Report All Harvests.

For more information about the herd and the management planning process and agreement, visit the Porcupine Caribou Management Board or download the plan or a plan summary here:

Harvest Management Plan

3-page Summary of the Plan

 

Grizzly Bear Management Agreement & Plan

A Grizzly Bear Management Plan for the GSA has been developed by the GRRB, RRCs and DRWED. The finished plan provides a framework for the management of grizzly bears, protection of grizzly habitat and the protection of Gwich'in harvesting rights. The best way to manage grizzly bears is to make a plan so that everyone can agree on what needs to be done and who is doing it.

Grizzly Management Plan

Grizzly Management Agreement (4 Gwich'in Communities)

 

Moose Management Plan

The GRRB, RRCs and DRWED have finished a Moose Management Plan which will act as a framework for the management of moose, protection of moose habitat and the protection of Gwich'in harvesting rights. The Plan was completed in December 2000.

View Moose Management Plan for the GSA

 

 

Dall's Sheep Management Plan

Dall's Sheep Management Plan