Arctic char life histories, behavior and habitat use informed by Inuit knowledge

Background/Question/Methods

Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is an important food source for Inuit communities throughout the Canadian Artic and is by far the most commonly consumed fish species in Nunavik in its anadromous (migratory) form. Different biological or ecological aspects of Arctic char are well documented in western scientific literature. However, the anadromous form is underrepresented and Inuit knowledge on this species has not yet been extensively documented, although year-round Arctic char fishing has been part of the Inuit life since time immemorial. In the present study, Inuit experts from three communities of Ungava Bay (Kangiqsualujjuaq, Tasiujaq and Kangirsuk) shared their knowledge on the various life histories of anadromous Arctic char during semi-directed interviews and other occasions such as informal discussions and during fieldwork.

Results/Conclusions

This work constitutes a comprehensive documentation of anadromous Arctic char life history in Ungava Bay through Inuit knowledge. The close relationship Inuit have with Arctic char allowed to set evidence of life history strategies poorly described in western literature such as the forego of marine migration on the spawning year or the use of estuarine environments by the pre-smolt juveniles. Inuit knowledge also revealed behaviors that, to our knowledge, were not yet documented, such as fish schooling to melt the ice cover in winter, or the temporary ‘disappearance’ of fish in some large lakes in winter. The connections and paralleling of western scientific studies with Inuit knowledge on the fish allowed to inform western scientists of a more holistic understanding of Arctic char ecology. By bringing Inuit knowledge of Arctic char to the foreground, the present study highlights relevant research avenues for Arctic char ecology.