NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: contaminants, biology, beluga whale

Objective(s): To collect brain samples from beluga whales harvested in the ISR for contaminant and brain analyses to establish whether a link exists between contaminant exposure and brain chemistry.

Project Description: The objectives of this study are to collect brain samples from beluga whales harvested in the ISR for contaminant and brain analyses. The researcher will establish whether a link exists between contaminant exposure and brain chemistry. This information is important for understanding whether contaminants are affecting beluga health. Sampling will take place for four to six weeks at Hendrickson Island. Sampling will begin in mid June or early July, depending on the timing of the beluga hunt. Samples will be collected from thirty to fifty harvested beluga whales for this study. The tissue collection is a collaborative effort with Drs. Stern, Ross and Loseto of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Tissue samples will be stored in an electric freezer (generator-powered) and will be transported to Inuvik regularly for storage in a freezer until sampling is complete. Two mentoring students will be selected by the research team and teachers from Mangilaluk School to participate in the sampling program at Hendrickson Island. This study offers diverse opportunities for local involvement: hunters, harvest monitors and youth in Tuktoyaktuk and at the sampling location on Hendrickson Island may participate in various aspects of our research program. Hunters will be involved in the study by providing access to the whales they harvest. Harvested whales will be sampled and interested hunters may be shown sampling techniques. Local involvement should be mutually beneficial for the research team, as it provides an opportunity for cultural and educational exchange. The fieldwork component of this research provides a unique opportunity for researchers, hunters and youth to interact and learn from one another and gain an appreciation and better understanding of different ways of understanding arctic ecosystems. A research team composed of Marie Noel (DFO), Stephen Raverty (Animal Health Center) and Sonja Ostertag will be involved in fieldwork on Hendrickson Island this summer. The presence of a research team will lead to training and outreach opportunities during the fieldwork component of this project. This research team is very interested in providing opportunities for local youth to learn about beluga hunting (techniques, cultural significance) from experts in their community. Presentations of the research will take place in the school if possible and activities will be prepared for youth who travel to the island, with a focus on the scientific and cultural aspects of beluga whales. The mentoring student will be involved in fieldwork at the sampling site and will learn about the studies in detail. This training is valuable for individuals interested in becoming involved in scientific work carried out in the ISR. Sampling techniques and project objectives will also be discussed with local hunters, the whale monitor and other interested people. Students will have the opportunity to travel to research labs in BC and to a scientific conference. Research results will be directed to the NWT Environmental Contaminants Committee, in the form of a research report and a copy of the thesis and journal articles. Final results will be presented to the Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik Hunter's and Trapper's Committees. A summary of the results will be sent to the HTCs. School presentations will be arranged if there is interest in the communities and the timing is possible. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from June 15, 2010 to August 15, 2010.