Abstract
In conducting Arctic field research, hiring local field guides has long been a necessity for providing field teams with local knowledge and fundamental needs of boat operation and navigation, general field logistics/safety, and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of local animal distribution and natural history. As new threats to Arctic wildlife emerge and as field research methods evolve, including local Inuit as long-standing members of research teams has provided additional collaborative benefits through expanded local knowledge, greater efficiency of data collection, and longer temporal sampling which provides the opportunity to study uncommon events. We describe the collaboration between southern-based scientists and local Inuit from the community of Pangnirtung, Nunavut, to conduct field research on marine mammals in Cumberland Sound from 1997 to 2021. Through a keen interest in marine mammal field research, Inuit partners in Pangnirtung have become highly proficient in all aspects of sample and data collection and have received advanced technical training to allow for an expanded role in achieving research objectives. This expanded role includes running field research operations independently, as well as the extensive use of drones to capture photographs of whales for the purposes of photographic-identification and to record behavior. Collaboration with local Inuit also provides benefits through employment opportunities, development of technical skills, and opportunities to actively participate in research that aims to conserve culturally important local wildlife populations.
Highlights
Field research in the Arctic has long relied upon local communities to provide logistical support as well as traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to ensure that field operations are undertaken safely and successfully
During the 2018 and 2019 field seasons, Ricky Kilabuk (RK) was the primary drone operator on our marine mammal field operations in Cumberland Sound during which we collected over 4000 drone photographs for the bowhead and beluga (Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776)) photo-id projects
Community support and the hiring of local field guides has long been a necessity in Arctic field research, establishing lasting partnerships and including local participants as essentially permanent members of research teams has proven to come with many benefits beyond the basic needs of boat operation, locating animals, navigation, and safety
Summary
Field research in the Arctic has long relied upon local communities to provide logistical support as well as traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to ensure that field operations are undertaken safely and successfully. Local Inuit involvement has provided invaluable contributions to Arctic marine mammal research through an intimate knowledge of animal behavior, habitat use, patterns of movement, as well as a keen understanding of landscapes, waterbodies, local weather patterns, fieldcraft, and threats from local wildlife (including polar bear (Ursus maritimus Phipps, 1774) safety) (Huntington et al 2011; BretonHoneyman et al 2016). As new threats to Arctic wildlife emerge and field research methods evolve, enhanced collaboration between southern-based scientists and northern research partners will be vital for continued monitoring and effective co-management (e.g., Ostertag et al 2018; Henri et al 2020; Peacock et al 2020). As an example of the key role being played by Inuit in Arctic field research, we describe the collaboration between southern-based scientists and Inuit from the community of Pangnirtung, Nunavut, to conduct field research on bowhead whales and other marine mammals in Cumberland Sound
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