FAQ

Why is the ACCWM needed?

Wildlife know no boundaries and populations are shared between land claim areas. Barren-ground caribou in particular make large seasonal migrations. This shared responsibility is recognized in the land claim agreements.
 

Does the ACCWM have decision-making authority?

The authority comes from each land claim, but gathering to discuss shared management and write a framework helps coordinate actions. Each board must cooperate according to the land claims which established them.
 

Caribou are caribou - why do we need to have lines on maps?

There are some differences in perspective about how best to define caribou herds for management purposes. Some Indigenous harvesters and elders in community engagement sessions have made the case that caribou are caribou, and there are no real differences between some barren-ground caribou herds. On the other hand, based on recent scientific studies, wildlife managers in the NWT and Nunavut now recognize three distinct herds within the Bluenose range. The herds are separated based on their continued use of three distinct calving grounds in June, as well as genetic differences.

For the purposes of co-operative caribou management, the members of the ACCWM agreed to write one Management Plan that addresses the entire area of the three herds. However, the Action Plans are specifically directed at the three separate herds.

The ACCWM feels that considering the status of each of the herds, and considering current best practices in science-based management, this is the course of action that will best uphold principles of conservation, such as the precautionary principle. Scientific research about relationships among caribou herds is ongoing, and in combination with traditional knowledge may eventually give rise to new management approaches. Both science and TLK recognize that throughout the evolutionary history of these caribou, large-scale shifts of ranges and calving grounds have occurred. Further research into genetic variation and into how herds use the land over time will help us understand how populations are defined and how they interact. There is more information on these topics in the Scientific Report and Community Report.
 

What about predator management?

While predators have a natural role in ecosystems, there are concerns that when they are at high levels they can have a negative impact on prey like caribou - especially when those animals are already in decline. Today, in some regions, fewer people may trap or hunt species like wolves compared to in the past, and the question of whether to ‘manage’ or control predator populations in order to benefit caribou can be a sensitive one. Science is beginning to show that this is not a straight-forward issue - sometimes the populations do not respond as expected. Amongst the public, there is both support and opposition to the idea. Because the issue is so complex, there is currently no formal wolf control program in the NWT or Nunavut.

For the management recommendations in the management plan, the ACCWM acknowledges that predators are integral components of northern ecosystems; predator populations can cycle up and down and have varying impacts on their prey populations; predator control programs are controversial; and it is important to have good information on predator populations, rates of predation, impacts on prey populations like caribou, and the effectiveness of control programs before informed management decisions can be made - this should include information from both science and traditional knowledge.
 

Any other questions?

Please feel free to consult the Resources page for more information, or to contact your land claim organization from the Contact page.