Meetings on Bathurst and Bluenose-East Caribou Herds Update

On August 27, 2014, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), GNWT met with wildlife management authorities, including the WRRB, and Aboriginal governments to discuss results from the 2014 Bluenose-East and Bathurst caribou herds calving reconnaissance surveys, conducted from June 5-9, 2014. Though not designed to provide precise population estimates, the reconnaissance surveys can provide an indication of population trends, and the survey results suggest there has been a decline in both herds over the past two years.  Participants agreed to set up a Technical Working Group (TWG) to further discuss the situation and to identify actions that can be put in place to help the herds and prevent further decline. 

The WRRB participated in the October 9-10 and October 22-23 meetings of the TWG to examine current information on the two herds and to recommend management actions for the leadership’s review. On November 7, the Minister of ENR, Aboriginal leaders and wildlife management authorities reviewed the recommendations.  Further discussion is required and a meeting was held on November 28. 

The WRRB will wait for the submission of a revised joint management proposal for the Bathurst caribou.  The Board will also work with the Advisory Committee for Cooperation on Wildlife Management (ACCWM) to develop an Action Plan for the Bluenose-East (BNE) caribou, in continuation of the management planning process for the BNE herd.