Plans to extend the Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba may lead to a rise in maritime activity and economic transactions. Some analysts believe this could impact the behavior of the whales, which are not only a significant attraction in the region’s nearly $100 million tourism sector but also a crucial food source for some residents in the North.
Johnny Mamgark reminisces about his early days hunting beluga whales along the Hudson Bay coast with his father when he was just 13 or 14 years old.
“It’s ingrained in our culture; it’s our way of life,” Mamgark stated.
“Living in the north is costly, and the food expenses are high — that’s why hunting is essential for our survival in the north.”
Originally from Arviat, Nunavut, Mamgark, who is Inuk, expressed concerns that increased shipping and marine traffic near the Port of Churchill might disrupt the beluga whale population in the region where his family and ancestors have traditionally hunted them for centuries.
“We want people to recognize that we hunt for sustenance and to provide for our families, not just for sport,” Mamgark emphasized.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has advocated for a new or expanded port along the province’s coast as part of a significant northern trade corridor that could transport commodities like oil, liquefied natural gas, or hydrogen to European markets.
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Manitoba premier unfazed by Churchill port’s absence from 1st wave of ‘nation-building’ projects
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Prime minister backs plans to redevelop northern Manitoba’s Port of Churchill
The Port of Churchill, among Canada’s northernmost deepwater ports with a limited operational period each summer, is managed by Arctic Gateway Group, a collaboration of numerous First Nations and Hudson Bay communities. It is the sole deepwater port in North America with Arctic Ocean access reachable by rail.
Although the proposal for port expansion did not make it into Prime Minister Mark Carney’s initial selection of five major “nation-building” infrastructure projects, enhancements are anticipated in the subsequent phase.
In the meantime, community leaders are exploring ways for Arctic wildlife populations to coexist with a substantial increase in marine traffic and commercial engagements.
Whales Rely on Sound
The beluga population in the western Hudson Bay is estimated at 55,000, with thousands congregating in the Nelson, Churchill
