Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Nunavut - Ramsar Site

Overview (Principal Characteristics):

This is the world's second largest Ramsar site (as of October 2001).

Reason for Ramsar Designation:

The Sanctuary contains the largest variety of geese of any nesting area in North America. The Sanctuary is one of the few nesting areas for both the Atlantic Brant (Brant bernicla hrota) and Pacific Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans). Almost the entire population of Ross' Goose (Chen rossii) nest here.

Date of Ramsar Designation:

24 May 1982.

Jurisdiction:

Federal - Environment Canada; Private - Nunavut Inuit.

Land Tenure:

• Site: Most of the sanctuary is federal Crown Land. Title to small portions is held in fee simple by the Inuit of Nunavut under the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement. These include sites near the Inglis and Murchison rivers.

• Surrounding Area: A mix of federal Crown land and Inuit-owned land.

Conservation Measures Taken:

Established as a sanctuary in 1961 under the Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations of the Migratory Birds Convention Act of 1917. Under Article 9 of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement, the sanctuary remains subject to the regulations of the Act.

Conservation Measures Proposed:

The boundaries of the sanctuary are under review and may change.

Current Land Use/Activities in:

• Site: The area is subject to co-management agreements under the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement. Hunting, trapping and fishing by the Inuit of the communities of Cambridge Bay, Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet continue on this land. A habitat survey of the sanctuary was recently completed. There are regular surveys of Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) and Ross' Goose (Chen rossii) populations. A long-term research site was established at Karrak Lake in the early 1990s. Land use permits are issued by the Canadian Wildlife Service under the Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations and by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada under the Territorial Land Use Regulations for the area. Screening of projects under the Nunavut Impact Review Board is undertaken with certificates issued by the Nunavut Planning Commission. Permission is required to gain access to Inuit-owned land.

• Surrounding Area: Territorial Land Use Regulations apply to federal Crown land. Hunting, fishing and trapping by local Inuit continue.
  

Threats to Integrity of:

• Site: The sanctuary borders a proposed shipping route for a lead/zinc mine in Coronation Gulf. Development of the mine and a port site are currently not proceeding due to the depressed world market for base metals.

• Surrounding Area: None at present.

Status of Management Plan:

As part of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement, a management plan for this area is required within five years of the declaration of the new Nunavut Territory in 1999.

Management Authority:

Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment Canada
P.O. Box 1714
Iqaluit, Nunavut
X0A 0X0