Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Vice-President James Eetoolook today commented on a call by scientists for a moratorium on commercial fishing in the international waters in Arctic beyond the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Arctic States.

The call for the moratorium was issued by the American PEW Environment Group this week during the International Polar Year conference in Montreal. The group called for the moratorium on commercial fishing in international waters to be imposed until more research can be completed on waters that were once covered by ice year-round.

Eetoolook said NTI works and will continue to work with government to develop responsible plans and strategies for the sustainable harvest of fish and wildlife in the Arctic.

“Commercial fishing in the Arctic, including in international waters, should be based on sustainability, a sound co-management system partnering with Aboriginal Peoples, and preferential consideration to Aboriginal Peoples who are adjacent to these waters and permanent inhabitants in the Arctic,” said Eetoolook.