WWF-Canada congratulates Inuit on Initiating Protection of Lancaster Sound

Lancaster Sound is one of the jewels of the Arctic – a refuge for ringed seals, walrus, polar bears, narwhal, Beluga, killer and bowhead whales. Part of the entrance to the sound was protected by the Inuit as Sirmilik National Park in 2001. The Inuit have requested federal protection of the area since 1987 – the federal government has now complied.

“WWF applauds the perseverance of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the people of Nunavut”, said Craig Stewart, WWF’s Director, Arctic. “This agreement marks a foundation for the conservation of essential marine habitat for Arctic wildlife.”

Once the memorandum of understanding has been signed, that will kick off a $5-million feasibility study, which was allocated in the 2007 federal budget. The feasibility study will establish the exact boundaries of the protected area and take into account the most critical animal habitats and migration routes, but also the impacts on the potential for oil and gas industries and commercial shipping.

As the world gathers in Copenhagen to tackle climate change this announcement underlines how protected areas can be a natural solution. Today, WWF released a report with The Nature Conservancy, the United Nations Development Programme, Wildlife Conservation Society, and the World Bank called, Natural Solutions: protected areas helping people cope with climate change. The reportclearly articulates for the first time how protected areas contribute significantly to reducing the impacts of climate change. It also spells out how protected areas can keep natural resources healthy and productive so they can withstand the impacts of climate change and continue to provide the food, clean water, shelter and income communities rely upon for survival.
Download the report here.