Baffin Fisheries: Ecologically Informed Fisheries Management in the Canadian Arctic

Baffin Fisheries, fully owned by Inuit organizations across the Qikiqtani region, has become a leading example of community-directed, sustainable offshore fishing in Nunavut. Headquartered in Iqaluit, with operational bases in Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, and Paradise, Newfoundland, the company manages an offshore fleet specialized in harvesting Northern shrimp and Greenland halibut. Through a minority partnership in Pangnirtung Fisheries Ltd., Baffin Fisheries strengthens a regional network committed to sustainable economic development. Revenues from offshore harvests are strategically reinvested into Inuit communities, generating long-term social and economic benefits across Nunavut.

The company’s mission focuses on fostering a thriving fishery that simultaneously preserves ecosystem function and supports Inuit prosperity. Its teams collaborate closely with Hunters and Trapper Associations, territorial agencies, and federal regulators to identify development pathways that are economically viable, ecologically responsible, and aligned with Inuit priorities.

Baffin Fisheries’ primary products are cold-water Northern shrimp, a crustacean widely valued in global markets for its high protein content and micronutrients, and Green halibut (turbot), a nutrient-rich deep-water flatfish high in vitamin B12, niacin, selenium, and magnesium. Annually, the fleet harvests approximately 5,000 tonnes of shrimp and 8,000 tonnes of turbot, with all catch processed and frozen at sea to maintain optimal quality for export to European and Asian markets.

Both species play ecologically important roles and serve as indicators of environmental change in Arctic marine systems. Sustainable harvesting relies on careful timing. Seasonal fishing schedules are carefully designed around sensitive ecological cycles, and trawl-monitoring systems aboard vessels minimize seabed disruption and bycatch. Northern shrimp are harvested in northern Ungava Bay during November and December and in southern waters from January to May, while turbot are fished from mid-May to mid-November. Timing fishing operations to coincide with natural biological rhythms is essential for maintaining healthy marine populations: it sustains long-term yield, safeguards the broader Arctic food web, and ensures that species interactions and nutrient cycles remain intact. Furthermore, this approach enables continuous refinement of fishing practices in Arctic waters undergoing rapid environmental change.

Through continuous investment in science, technology, and community partnerships, Baffin Fisheries demonstrates a model in which local economic development and ecosystem health reinforce one another. By integrating Inuit knowledge with fisheries management tools, the company aims to maintain a biologically responsible, self-sustaining fishery that will benefit Nunavut for generations.