Management Planning for Greenland s Living Resources Elmer Topp-J rgensen, Head of Section

1.  Management Planning for  Greenland�s Living Resources  Elmer Topp-J�rgensen, Head of Section / Biologist

3. The work was initiated in 2004 in recognition of unsustainable harvests and a desire to preserve a hunting tradition deeply rooted in the Inuit culture while at the same time ensuring reasonable living standards for this part of the population. The work was initiated in 2004 in recognition of unsustainable harvests and a desire to preserve a hunting tradition deeply rooted in the Inuit culture while at the same time ensuring reasonable living standards for this part of the population.

5. Quotas introduced for a number of species, but they are determined to meet sustainability at the current population size which is much reduced compared to previous. Therefore need to identify management aims for some species. Social sustainable in terms minimising large fluctuations in allocated quotas, and decide on whether quotas should be prioritised in areas/communities with few alternative income possibilities. Local involvement to strengthen ownership and capacity building of remote local communities. Quotas introduced for a number of species, but they are determined to meet sustainability at the current population size which is much reduced compared to previous. Therefore need to identify management aims for some species. Social sustainable in terms minimising large fluctuations in allocated quotas, and decide on whether quotas should be prioritised in areas/communities with few alternative income possibilities. Local involvement to strengthen ownership and capacity building of remote local communities.

6. Existing reports, e.g.: Arctic Climate Impact Assessment describing projected climatic changes Biodiversity study providing overview of eco-system types, detailed distribution species distribution data as well as important breeding, foraging, haul-out and denning sites. Sensitive Marine areas have been identified in relation to potential development in the oil and gas sector. Stakeholder analysis though interviews and questionnaires on the issues of existing local resource use patterns and possible inappropriateness of existing management regulations in relation to the local context Existing reports, e.g.: Arctic Climate Impact Assessment describing projected climatic changes Biodiversity study providing overview of eco-system types, detailed distribution species distribution data as well as important breeding, foraging, haul-out and denning sites. Sensitive Marine areas have been identified in relation to potential development in the oil and gas sector. Stakeholder analysis though interviews and questionnaires on the issues of existing local resource use patterns and possible inappropriateness of existing management regulations in relation to the local context

7. Different layers of species distribution, important areas for wildlife (sites for nesting, denning, foraging, etc.), threats, human activity levels, oil/gas/mineral exploration. This should help identify conflicting interests and be a tool for site selection where protection zones are needed.Different layers of species distribution, important areas for wildlife (sites for nesting, denning, foraging, etc.), threats, human activity levels, oil/gas/mineral exploration. This should help identify conflicting interests and be a tool for site selection where protection zones are needed.

8. In a country with xxxx km coastline and 8 patrol guards regulations need to be meaningful to local communities to ensure adherence to existing laws. Therefore large focus on stakeholder analysis to reveal inappropriate regulations as perceived by the users, but also gather lessons learned and ideas for how to optimise the use of Greenlands living resources. In a country with xxxx km coastline and 8 patrol guards regulations need to be meaningful to local communities to ensure adherence to existing laws. Therefore large focus on stakeholder analysis to reveal inappropriate regulations as perceived by the users, but also gather lessons learned and ideas for how to optimise the use of Greenlands living resources.

9. Diverging interests and attitudes towards the use of Greenland�s living resources mean that it is difficult to implement regulations that respect all local opinions. There is therefore a general wish for geographical flexibility that would allow local authorities/natural resource councils make decision within a national framework - decentralisation of some management decisions. Observed climatic changes may alter hunting conditions as well as species composition and abundance at then local level. There is therefore a need for a flexible regulation framework that allows for adaptive changes for these parameters. Diverging interests and attitudes towards the use of Greenland�s living resources mean that it is difficult to implement regulations that respect all local opinions. There is therefore a general wish for geographical flexibility that would allow local authorities/natural resource councils make decision within a national framework - decentralisation of some management decisions. Observed climatic changes may alter hunting conditions as well as species composition and abundance at then local level. There is therefore a need for a flexible regulation framework that allows for adaptive changes for these parameters.

10. If you dont monitor you dont know if management aims are acheived or whether the planning needs revision Some stakeholders express an interest in contributing to the monitoring of utilised species and ice condition (climate change). The Greenland Home Rule Government is therefore looking into possibilities for involving stakeholders in monitoring of the country�s living resources and climate change. Not to replace biological monitoring, but as a supplement that can bring about more data to improve decision making, especially inperiods with no biological advice. If you dont monitor you dont know if management aims are acheived or whether the planning needs revision Some stakeholders express an interest in contributing to the monitoring of utilised species and ice condition (climate change). The Greenland Home Rule Government is therefore looking into possibilities for involving stakeholders in monitoring of the country�s living resources and climate change. Not to replace biological monitoring, but as a supplement that can bring about more data to improve decision making, especially inperiods with no biological advice.