PURPOSE:

This study is part of a two-decade series of research aimed to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the effects of harvest and environmental change on fisheries in Great Bear Lake. The main objectives are to assess demographic traits and the current status of harvested species, with a focus on evaluating sustainable harvest levels of lake trout, a cold-adapted species with a relatively narrow thermal niche. As part of this research, trends in water quality are monitored to evaluate potential effects of change on fisheries.

DESCRIPTION:

Great Bear Lake, one of the largest lakes in North America, contains culturally and recreationally important fish species. Great Bear Lake is located in the sub-Arctic and Arctic Circle. As part of a two-decade series of research aimed to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the effects of harvest and environmental change on fisheries in Great Bear Lake, the main objectives of this study are to assess demographic traits and the current status of harvested species, with a focus on evaluating sustainable harvest levels of lake trout, a cold-adapted species with a relatively narrow thermal niche. As part of this research, trends in water quality are monitored to evaluate potential effects of change on fisheries. From 2000 to 2011, surface water temperature data was collected at depths of approximately 0.1 to 1.0 meters using a handheld digital thermometer through partnered community-led and community/Fisheries and Oceans Canada/ university partners collaborative sampling. The project has strong community involvement, including youth through the Guardian Program, to facilitate capacity building and community leadership in the long-term monitoring of Great Bear Lake fisheries and the aquatic ecosystem. This data is the beginning in a series of baseline data sets on water quality from this lake. These data will contribute to a better understanding of cumulative impacts of climate change on the functioning of large northern lake ecosystems, and provide a benchmark for monitoring further change. This data will be important for developing effective strategies for maintaining community-led aquatic monitoring and managing natural resources, particularly fish, which are expected to be increasingly important to communities with declines in other country foods such as caribou.

We acknowledge the data were collected in the Sahtú Settlement Area and are made publicly available with the agreement of the Délı̨nę Renewable Resources Council (Délı̨nę Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę (Renewable Resources Council)).

Collaborators include: the Community of Délı̨nę partners (data collection), Délı̨nę Renewable Resource Council, Sahtú Renewable Resource Board, Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, and University of Alberta. Community of Délı̨nę partners and field workers that participated in data collection include Jane Baptiste, Doug Baton, Moise Beyonnie, Gloria Gaudette, Bruce Kenny, Greg Kenny, Hughie Kenny, Jonas Kenny, Morris Lennie, George Menacho, Morris Modeste, Nathan Modeste, Isreal Neyelle, Lyle Neyelle, Clyde Takazo, Lucy Ann Takazo, Freddie Vital, Cameron Yukon, Cyre Yukon, Tyrone Yukon, Charity Yukon, Chris Yukon, Archie Vital, John Betsidea, and Barbara Yukon.

Funding and logistical support was provided by: Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring, Sahtú Renewable Resource Board, the Polar Continental Shelf Program, Canadian Circumpolar Institute, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Government of Northwest Territories Renewable Resources Délı̨nę, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.