Science Review of Narwhal (Monodon monoceros) Surveys Conducted by Golder-WSP in 2019–2023 for use in Fisheries Stock Assessments

Abstract

The Baffinland (BIM) Mary River Project is an operating open-pit iron ore mine located on North Baffin Island in Nunavut. As part of their project certificate, annual surveys of narwhal (Monodon monoceros) have been conducted by Golder Associates Ltd. (hereafter Golder) and WSP Canada Inc. (hereafter WSP) in Eclipse Sound and Admiralty Inlet in August 2019, 2020, 2021 (Golder Associates Ltd. 2020a, 2021, 2022), and 2022 and 2023 (WSP Canada Inc. 2023, 2024). Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science is responsible for providing advice on the sustainable hunt of these stocks. DFO surveys and subsequent population modelling rely on surveying narwhal aggregations when they are in their summering grounds. A time series of abundance estimates provides robust population dynamics modeling for stock assessment. Therefore, this document reviews the Golder-WSP surveys and resulting abundance estimates for use in future population dynamics models. Golder-WSP conducted surveys during the open water and shoulder seasons (before ice break-up in the spring and after ice formation in the fall); this review focuses only on those surveys in the open water season (namely August). The August surveys conducted by Golder-WSP are described briefly and reviewed here. Recommendations on final abundance estimates that could be included in future population dynamics models are presented. This Science Response Report results from the regional peer review on October 16, 2024, for the Science Review of Narwhal (Monodon monoceros) Surveys Conducted by Golder-WSP in 2019-2023 for use in DFO Fisheries Stock Assessments.