The Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association (HTA) and Arctic Eider Society (AES) are looking to fill the role of Fisheries Coordinator for Fall 2024. A full-time year-round position is available to support the Emerging Fisheries process for the community. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and interviews will be scheduled as suitable candidates apply.

The Fisheries Coordinator will report directly to the HTA manager and AES Executive Director and will collaborate with the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation’s (QC) Community Liaison and other relevant stakeholders. The successful applicant will have wide-reaching responsibilities, including, but not limited to:

Supporting Community-Driven Exploratory Fisheries Field Work

• Support local training and capacity building with community boats and operators to help locate and assess scallop beds around the Belcher Islands / Qikiqtait archipelago in support of exploratory fisheries and Qikiqtait resource inventory activities
• Train boat crews to do drop camera work, scallop sampling, measurements and collection of abundance, distribution and demographic data where beds are located
• Train and support bathymetric mapping of the islands through a variety of techniques including standard loggers and a hydroblock device.
• Manage data and imagery from drop cameras, underwater drones, oceanographic equipment and other tools and technology including managing metadata with the SIKU app and organizing data on network drives in support of mapping benthic communities.
• Support any licensing, permits and reporting requirements or other administrative duties that may be required

Year-round Coordination, Logistics and Planning

• Coordinating, partnering, and otherwise working with the HTA, AES and other governing bodies (e.g., Government of Nunavut (GN), Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), etc.), such as:
• Liaising with local organizations (AES and HTA in particular)  and other rights and stakeholders to help support the co-development of both a Marine Protected Area (MPA) for Qikiqtait, and the development of commercial benthic fisheries. This includes coordinating the timelines, priorities and order of activities to balance these components and more generally creating conservation/blue economies for Sanikiluaq.
• Furthering application stages for an exploratory fishery through the proper DFO channels, based on existing and forthcoming data and knowledge and in coordination with the creation of the Qikiqtait Protected Area.
• Helping to establish local logistics and capacity building related to fisheries including the community freezer, food safety, exploring a business plan for local sales in Sanikiluaq and Nunavut and future possible sales and distribution outside the territory.
• Coordinating, partnering, and otherwise working with all academic and industry partners in the region (e.g., Memorial University, Marine Institute, University of Manitoba, Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, etc.)
• Supporting the HTA and the Arctic Eider Society (AES) ongoing development of a knowledge collection protocol and data sharing agreements to which researchers will contribute should they be granted permission to study in the region.
• Collecting all fisheries-related data from existing and ongoing research in the region to support the application to DFO for an exploratory fishery and future planning.
• Supporting the organization of necessary training for HTA and community members related to the development of the community’s fisheries (e.g., harvesting, processing, food safety, vessel safety, etc.).
• Supporting communication related to community-based fisheries work within Sanikiluaq including taking time for community consultation in coordination with project supervisors, incorporating Inuit Knowledge and values and as appropriate participating in other meetings, conferences and outreach opportunities. 
• Writing and filling out grant applications that support the development of fisheries, training, and capacity in the community, as well as funding reports.
• Other tasks as necessary to support fisheries research and projects prioritized by the community and community organizations.
• Supporting the development of a business plan for the community of Sanikiluaq as it relates to inshore fisheries establishment (in partnership with the NICFI), with QC’s support.
• Supporting functional and sustainable community freezer(s) operations within the community of Sanikiluaq.
• Regular work plan and budget updates to the HTA, AES, and QC.
• Virtual and/or in-person presentation(s) at local/regional meetings as well as conferences or other events, as necessary.

Contract Details

• Start date: Fall 2024
• Location: Sanikiluaq, Nunavut + remote
• Term: 2-3 years with possibility for long-term renewal
• Compensation: Commensurate with experience $35-$45/hr, plus housing & travel subsidy
• Requirements and assets: We are looking for someone with a background in Fisheries Science or a related field (Completed Master’s level or equivalent preferred), with project management experience and ideally experience working and/or living in the North. Summer fieldwork requires being based in Sanikiluaq, year-round work can include a mix of Sanikiluaq-based and remote-based work.

Apply Now

Apply below by attaching a resume with relevant academic, professional, and/or personal experience that demonstrates your ability to successfully carry out the responsibilities of the Fisheries Coordinator role.

This project is co-funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Northern Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative), Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, CIRNAC, Sanikiluaq Hunters and Trappers Association and the Arctic Eider Society.