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Beluga hunters approve rules once again

SARA MINOGUE

About 25 members of the Amarok Hunters and Trappers Organization met in Iqaluit's Parish Hall Monday to approve the beluga hunting rules.

Under Iqaluit's community-based beluga management plan, the Amarok HTO members must approve the rules through a vote every year.

The rules were originally drafted in 1999 by the HTO and approved by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.

At the meeting, hunters voted to clarify three things in the rules:

• hunters may not take more than two belugas per boat or skidoo. The belugas must be landed before the hunters go back for more;
• beluga hunters must use a .243 calibre rifle or higher; and,
• selling beluga meat should be prohibited.

During the evening, several people asked questions about enforcement of the rules. There are currently no plans to ensure hunters comply, and no penalties have been determined for people not following the rules.

Pitseolak Alainga, who chaired the meeting on behalf of Amarok president Michael Qappik, said he hoped that hunters would comply this year. Last year, several hunters did not report their kills to the HTO office, as they are required to do.

"When you hunt traditionally, you do everything in a positive way and as hunters we usually don't try and cheat or do bad things in regular beluga hunting," Alainga said.

The new rules are now in effect. For a complete copy, contact the Amarok HTO at 979-6848.

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