Scientific Research:
s3.9.3: Does the project proposal involve scientific research?
YES
If yes, will the applicant integrate all available and relevant local and traditional knowledge when conducting its research?
YES
Consultation with Nunavut Research Institute:
s3.9.5: Has the applicant consulted with the Nunavut Research Institute about research topics that would benefit or interest local residents?
YES
i. Describe the results of your consultation.
This project is basically a continuation of two previous projects (Effects of anthropogenic stressors on Arctic seabirds no. 148645 and Contaminants in Arctic seabirds no. 148757). The NRI was consulted during initial planning stages; consultation with and reporting to relevant HTOs and ACMCs has been ongoing.
Local Services and Local Employment:
s3.9.4: Will the applicant rely on local services and employment where possible?
YES
i. Describe the services retained and the people to be employed.
The field work component of this project directly involves several community members from Resolute Bay. First, the local Area Co-Management Committee will be part of the team that plans for the implementation of the project. This includes logistics, selection of the local crew, and how this project will fit into the larger plan for the protected areas. Second, we are currently planning to hire an Inuit Field Research Assistant (IFRA) as administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service Iqaluit office.In part, this project is being carried out with the community to pilot different approaches that could be used within a community monitoring framework for microplastics in coastal ecosystems. All birds to be used in this study will be part of the Wildlife Contaminants Workshop (WCW) in 2020. During the workshop, the students in the Environmental Technology Program at the Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit will be trained to dissect seabirds and collect tissues for contaminants analysis, including microplastics. In 2020-21, the WCW will have a plastics component, and we will use this project to discuss ongoing work on plastics in the region. This will be led by J. Provencher (Environment and Climate Change Canada) and Chelsea Rochman (University of Toronto). The approach using photographs of black-legged kittiwake nests will be a new project and we plan on working with the community of Resolute Bay to have the photo-processing done by a community member. The ACMC has expressed a desire for projects that can involve processing of data in the community, and this portion of the project builds on some work by the ACMC to install cameras at PLI to monitor ship movements near the colony and bird reactions. If funded, the project leads will work with the ACMC and the CWS Iqaluit office to hire a northerner to process and report on the plastic incorporation in nests observed.
Communication on Scientific Research:
s3.2.8: The applicant will, at minimum, translate a summary of its work into Inuktitut and communicate with communities using language that is clear and non-technical. The results of all scientific re
YES