World Council of Whalers - The United Voice of Whaling Peoples

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March 12, 2005
43 Stranded Belugas in the Canadian North
Hudson Bay, Nunavut, Canada

The stranding of 43 beluga whales in the frozen Coats Bay in December last year brought an early Christmas present to the communities of Nunavut.

Nunavut hunters spotted the stranded belugas deep inside Coats Bay about 40 miles from the edge of the ice floe. Unable to find their way out of the ice floe, the whales kept themselves alive through holes in the ice. When the whales were discovered, the hunters made extra breathing holes to ensure that all of them could get enough air.

Lucassie Arragutainaq, from Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, said, “Since the whales could not get away, two things could happen – the polar bears would get them or the whales would die.” Beluga whales, like other whale species, seals and fish, are considered traditional food of coastal indigenous Canadians. The hunters, agreeing that it would be better for the whales to be taken by people rather than by the bears, killed the whales and distributed the maktuk (blubber) and meat among the communities of Nunavut and Nunavik. It took two weeks to complete the task.

Of the 43 that were stranded, 42 whales were carved and distributed. One was taken by a polar bear. The hunters provided the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) with some samples.

“The beluga whales, like other whale species, come to our people to be used, so that we can live -- no matter what the DFO might say,” Lucassie said. “During Christmas, people in the communities of Nunavut and Nunavik called the radio stations with messages to their friends and relatives wishing them well and thanking them for the maktuk and meat they were sent. It was a very good feeling – sending meat from Nunavut to the Provinces. That was our Christmas present.”

In January 2005, a hunter spotted stranded beluga whales again, this time in Kipalu Inlet, about 35 miles from their community. The hunter believed there might have been three stranded beluga whales. However, they have not been taken – polar bear hunting has started.