Marine Protected Areas in the ISR

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the FJMC and the Inuvialuit cooperatively manage Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) located within the ISR. A Western Arctic Marine Protected Area (WAMPA) Steering Committee formed by DFO, FJMC and Inuvialuit representatives has been established to oversee the management and monitoring of ISR MPAs.

Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area (TNMPA)

Designated in 2010 under DFO’s Oceans Act with the following key objectives:

To conserve and protect beluga whales and other marine species (anadromous fish, waterfowl and seabirds), their habitats and their supporting ecosystem.
To ensure the long-term sustainable management of one of the world’s largest summering stock of beluga whales and their habitat.
To preserve the harvesting traditions of the Inuvialuit people in the ISR.
To prohibit specific activities or classes of activities that could potentially negatively impact beluga or any part of the ecosystem in the areas upon which they depend.

The three areas of the TNMPA, Niaqunnaq (Shallow Bay), Okeevik (East Mackenzie Bay) and Kittigaryuit (Kugmallit Bay), closely reflect the Zone 1a boundaries of the Beaufort Sea Beluga Management Plan (BSBMP). These areas within the Mackenzie River estuary are frequently used as habitat by beluga in summer, and are important subsistence harvest locations for the Inuvialuit.

Tarium Niryutait MPA Map (DFO)

TNMPA Resources

Anguniaqvia niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area (ANMPA)

The ANMPA is located in Darnley Bay near Paulatuk and includes areas of high biological productivity used by Arctic char, beluga, polar bears, thick billed murres and a number of other species. This area is also an important subsistence harvesting area for the Inuvialuit. This Area of Interest (AOI) was officially announced as a Marine Protected Area on November 16, 2016.

For a look at a day in the life in the ANMPA, check out the film “The Keepers of Darnley Bay”.

Anguniaqvia niqiqyuam AOI Map (DFO)

ANMPA Resources