Tracking of searun Arctic char in the Canadian high arctic using acoustic telemetry

What is it about?

We tracked the summer marine migrations of searun Arctic char in the Cambridge Bay region of Nunavut. We found that Arctic char tended to travel very close to the shore, and that groups of individuals move from estuary to estuary, where they resided for several days. The arrival into estuaries may have a link to the tidal cycle.

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Why is it important?

Arctic char is important both culturally and economically for the Inuit people. Furthermore, Cambridge Bay is home to the largest commercial fishery for Arctic char in Canada. Describing critical habitats and habitat use for the species is important for fisheries management, but also for potential environmental disaster management as the Arctic ocean opens up for shipping and resource exploration.