Has someone thrown something noisy into the sea that makes the narwhal change course? Isak Johannessen (N) decided to raise that question in Inatsisartut after he had spoken to North Greenlandic hunters.
The question does not elaborate on which objects are involved. But some hunters suspect that underwater equipment deployed for research purposes has affected whales in Melville Bay in Northwest Greenland. This has been previously reported in Sermitsiaq.
Melville Bay is a historically important area for whalers, including those from the Savissivik and Upernavik areas. However, fewer whales have been recorded in recent years.
Naalakkersuisoq for Fisheries and Hunting Peter Borg (D) cannot confirm the aforementioned reports about noisy objects. He writes in his response to Isak Johannessen:
– The Department of Nature and Environment is not aware of any disturbing, noisy objects being thrown out that could disturb the narwhals and cause them to flee in the area around Melville Bay.
Another explanation
In response, a statement has been obtained from Pinngortitaleriffik, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (GN). According to the statement, it is "highly unlikely" that the missing whales in Melville Bay are due to noise from underwater equipment scaring them away to other places:
– GN states that it is more likely that the absence of narwhals in 2025 is due to the fact that there were fewer narwhals than in previous years. (...) The reason for the decline must be seen in the light of the fact that the catch of narwhals in Melville Bay has for several years been significantly higher than the advice for a sustainable catch level.
The department confirms that several hunters have approached it with similar inquiries. However, no exemptions have been granted for any scientific equipment that could potentially disturb whales, the department writes.
Peter Borg's response to Isak Johannessen also confirms that it is illegal under the Marine Environment Act to place things in the water that pollute. This also applies to noise pollution. Witnesses to pollution of the sea should contact the authorities.
