In December 2015, the Tłı̨chǫ Government (TG) and ENR submitted the Joint Proposal on Management Actions for Bluenose-East Caribou 2016-2019 to the Board, which proposed new restrictions on hunter harvest, predator management and ongoing monitoring. More specifically, TG and ENR proposed implementing a herd-wide total allowable harvest of 950 bulls-only and allocation for the Bluenose-East caribou herd and conducting a feasibility assessment of a full range of dìga (wolf) management actions. The WRRB considers any specific restriction of harvest or component of harvest as the establishment of a total allowable harvest (TAH). After review and analysis of the proposal, the WRRB complied with Section 12.3.10 of the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement and held a public hearing in Behchokǫ̀, NT on April 6-8, 2016.
The WRRB concluded, based on all available Aboriginal and scientific evidence, that a serious conservation concern exists for the Bluenose-East ɂekwǫ̀ herd and that additional management actions are vital for herd recovery. In making its decision about harvest limitations, the WRRB considered the risks to the herd from a recent high rate of decline, uncertainties about the underlying mechanisms for the decline and the importance of ɂekwǫ̀ for food security and cultural strength. Additionally, evidence from the Tłı̨chǫ elders and public suggested a willingness to restrict harvesting, and leave the ɂekwǫ̀ alone. Therefore, the WRRB determined that a TAH of 750 bulls-only shall be implemented for all users of the Bluenose-East ɂekwǫ̀ herd within Wek’èezhìı for the 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 harvest seasons. Further, the Board determined that that the proportional allocation of the TAH of the Bluenose-East ɂekwǫ̀ herd for the 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19 harvest seasons shall be as follows: Tłı̨chǫ Citizens – 39.29%, and Members of an Aboriginal people who traditionally harvest Bluenose-East ɂekwǫ̀ (including Nunavut) – 60.71.