Sentient Beings and Wildlife Resources: Inuit, Beluga Whales and Management Regimes in the Canadian Arctic

Abstract

I want to thank Hammill et al (2007) for taking an interest in my article and opening up this lively debate. Most of the issues raised by the authors are complex and, in the forum available, I can only briefly touch on some of them. I will first address the errors they perceived in my use of statistics. Both Hammill et al (2007) and my figures for the western Hudson Bay beluga population are virtually identical, although I do not explain that the difference between the smaller and larger numbers is based on scientific assumptions regarding uncounted diving belugas. My point, clearly made, is that this particular population is not considered endangered. Second, Hammill et al (2007) state that the eastern Hudson Bay population is not 1,000 2,000 animals. I wish to direct them to their own organisation's publication, Underwater World (referenced in Hammill et al 2007, DFO 2005a: 3), which states that this population is 1,000-2,000 animals. My statistics for the Un gava Bay population come from this same DFO publication. One wonders why two 2005 DFO publications contain different statistics? Hammill et al (2007) state that the eastern Hudson Bay population has decreased from a pristine level of 8,750 animals. However, in DFO 2005b (as referenced in Hammill et al. 2007), the pristine population is given as 12,500 animals. Even the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans expressed confusion regarding DFO beluga statistics and recovery aims during hearings in March 2007 (Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans 2007). Finally, 1 thank the authors for