Supervised by:

Mélanie Lemire (Collaborating member)

Co-supervised by:

Jean-Sébastien Moore (Regular member)

Research project description

Linking Arctic Char fisheries to changing marine food webs in the Canadian Arctic

IntroductionArctic marine systems are undergoing major changes, where climate change is the biggest driver of change. Marine food webs are shifting, with cascading effects on fisheries and coastal communities. Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus) is one of the most harvested fish species in the Canadian Arctic, supporting commercial, subsistence, and sport fisheries. This circumpolar anadromous species migrates to the more productive oceans in the summer to feed on abundant marine prey: resulting in high energy intake. The tight linkages between marine food webs, Arctic Char, and fisheries play a critical role in supporting culture and human well-being in northern Canada’s coastal communities including as a source of healthy food. However, climate-related changes in marine food webs could affect Arctic Char fisheries. ObjectivesIn light of major ecological changes that are tied to food security and health in northern communities, the objectives of my postdoctoral research project are to: (1) Assess how changes in Arctic marine food webs are affecting Arctic Char fisheries, and the implications for food security and health of Inuit; and (2) Explore how Arctic Char fisheries might respond to future ocean changes and co-develop sustainability scenarios with Inuit knowledge holders.Study sitesMy research will take place in Qikiqtarjuaq and Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. I will also work with Nunavik communities to be co-determined with regional partners based on fishery priorities. I aim to carry out this research collaboratively with these communities.Material and methodsMy research combines biophysical and qualitative indicators that can advance our understanding of climate, food webs, fishery, food security, health linkages in the marine Arctic. Indicators will be developed collaboratively with communities in order to provide locally relevant insights to feed in management. Biophysical indicators will involve climatic proxies, food web markers, such as stable isotopes and fatty acids, and fish quality biomarkers, including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, while qualitative indicators could include flesh color. I will also use participatory scenario planning, an approach that can combine different types of information and knowledge, including quantitative models and Indigenous Knowledge, to explore future ecosystem changes and guide conservation and management.Expected resultsThis research will develop new and much-needed knowledge to guide sustainable management of Arctic Char fisheries in Canada regarding the impacts of food web changes on Char ecology and fisheries, while contributing methodological advances for research at the interface of marine ecology and coastal food security and health. Through this project, I will also work collaboratively with local and regional partners and experts to develop paths toward sustainable future fisheries.

Research Site Coordinates

Scientific Communications

Falardeau, M., Bennett, E.M., Brent, E., Fisk, A.T., Mundy, C.J., Choy, E.S., Ahmed, M.M.M., Harris, L.N., Moore, J.-S., 2022. Biophysical indicators and indigenous and local knowledge reveal climatic and ecological shifts with implications for Arctic Char fisheries. Global Environmental Change, 74, 102469. DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2022.102469.

Galappaththi, E.K., Falardeau, M., Harris, L.N., Rocha, J.C., Moore, J.-S., Berkes, F., 2022. Resilience-based steps for adaptive co-management of arctic small-scale fisheries. Environmental Research Letters, 17, 083004. DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ac7b37.