Local knowledge in quota allocations under focus

Nivi Rosing, Inuit Ataqatigiit, who is a member of Inatsisartut, wants to clarify via a paragraph 37 question to Naalakkersuisut whether local knowledge should be given greater weight in future quota allocations for game animals that are protected by restrictions.

According to Peter Borg, Demokraatit, who is Nalaakkersuisoq for Fisheries, Hunting, Self-sufficiency and Environment, the Inatsisartutlov on Hunting and Fishing states that emphasis must be placed on the inclusion of hunter and user knowledge, implemented, among other things, through relevant main organizations and hunting councils.

According to Nivi Rosing, increased inclusion of local knowledge in quota allocations in Nunavut, Canada, has led to the authorities starting to allocate more beluga and narwhal quotas, and she will work to ensure that similar initiatives are implemented in the legislation on trapping and hunting.

The law modernized

According to the response note to Nivi Rosing, Naalakkersuisut follows the latest Inatsisartutlov on trapping and hunting from 2023 and the latest amendment in 2024, where permits and licenses, among other things, provide authority for the involvement of municipalities and people registered in the population register in the administration of quota allocations.

In Greenland, there is no distinction between native and indigenous people, and all citizens registered in the population register are treated equally – however, there are provisions regarding quota species, where there is a two-year residency requirement to obtain a license for quota species, according to Peter Borg.

- The Act on Hunting and Capturing has been modernized and will be implemented via species executive orders and Naalakkersuisut's decisions. The rules and requirements for quota allocations are very clear, also in relation to the involvement of municipalities and citizens.

- The Government of Greenland will continue to pay attention to the development of quota allocations so that it becomes administratively easier for both municipalities and individual citizens to access licenses and permits for quota and non-quota species.

- Naalakkersuisut is doing this, among other things, through digitalization of the hunting license system as well as applications and catch reports for quota species such as reindeer and musk oxen. Digital development of other quota species is also taking place, which will be implemented in the coming years, writes Peter Borg.

Follows the requirements

Peter Borg states that the Greenland Government is following the requirements for public consultations on changes to legislation and quota allocations.

- When Naalakkersuisut has a draft to laws or ordinances, these are sent to citizens for consultation via the formal channels, including the representatives in Naalakkersuisut's prison council, which is represented by the fishermen's and trappers' organization Kalaallit Nunaanni Aalisartut Piniartullu Kattuffiat, KNAPK and the recreational hunters' organization Tapertaralugu Piniartartut Aalisartartullu Kattuffiat, TPAK, and a couple representatives from the municipalities.

- In this way, citizens of Greenland have the opportunity to send responses and thus participate in influencing Naalakkersuisut's decisions, Naalakkersuisoq informs Nivi Rosing.

Biologically sound utilization

The Inatsisartutlov on hunting and trapping states, among other things, that the purpose of the law is to ensure appropriate and biologically sound exploitation of hunting resources.

- In the administration of the Inatsisartut Act, emphasis must be placed on, among other things, rational and seasonally best exploitation in accordance with customary biological advice and the available knowledge of hunters and users, which is given equal weight in assessment processes.

- The purpose clause also emphasizes the recreational and cultural needs of the population. It further states that emphasis must be placed on the inclusion of hunter and user knowledge, expressed, among other things, through relevant main organizations and hunting associations, writes Peter Borg.

The response note also states that the Greenland Institute of Nature involves the local population in planning and carrying out biological surveys of game animals, and that the Institute of Nature interviews hunters about their knowledge of game animals and their habitats in their local areas and invites them to participate in counts of game animals. Biological reports with recommendations are then sent for public consultation before the Greenland Government makes a decision on quotas allocated to the individual municipalities.

Involves catchers

Peter Borg states that Greenland is a member of a number of bilateral, regional and international organizations.

- Here, for example, KNAPK is an observer and can participate in the meetings. The North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission, NAMMCO, often involves the fishermen who provide input on their knowledge of fishing equipment and methods.

- This happened most recently in 2025, when there was a large international workshop on, among other things, fishing methods, which was organized by NAMMCO. In this context, fishermen from Greenland presented power points on the different fishing methods and equipment used today and in the old days.

The fishermen have also made a major contribution to the development of fishing manuals for large and small whales, prepared by NAMMCO, which have been distributed to both municipalities and KNAPK's local branches, according to Naalakkersuisoq for Fisheries, Fishing, Environment and Self-Sustainability.

Proceeding with the case

This summer, Nivi Rosing participated in the Marralik-Ungunniavik Project, which is a Canadian project that, among other things, aims to protect the rights of indigenous peoples in relation to sustainable fishing.

According to her, the experience from the project shows that incorporating local knowledge about trapping, hunting and game animals is extremely important when allocating quotas.

- Quotas for narwhals and belugas were not allocated in a certain area in Nunavik for about 40 years. But after incorporating local knowledge about these particular species, the conclusion has been reached that quotas can in fact be allocated, after which the catch is once again possible, she says.

Nivi Rosing receives support from KNAPK in her goal of having similar initiatives implemented in the legislation on trapping and hunting.