Inuit from the Baffin Bay area eat seal, arctic char and sculpin amongst several other marine species. They hunt narwhals, belugas, seals, walruses and marine birds, and harvest several species of crustaceans, seaweeds and marine birds eggs (Wenzel, 2011). These species, are all ultimately relying onto the energy originated from primary producers (phytoplancton) and channelled through zooplankton, Arctic cod and/or benthic organisms.

Climate-induced changes in : (i) the phytoplankton spring bloom (PSB) which develops around the ice-edge of the Arctic Ocean (ii) higher marine trophic level species, which depends on the plankton, may modify the quality, access, quantity/availability, and preferences and uses of key food species, the four pillars of food security.

Using this multidisciplinary approach, and following the objective of co-documenting the links between climate change and fluctuations in marine resources diversity and productivity, we are developing a alimentation study gathering :

Local knowledge. Working with people in the Inuit communities (hunting camp in Qikiqtarjuaq), we will examine how the availability of resources (access, food supply, quantity, distribution) and the consumption of locally harvested foods (quality, frequency, preference, quantity, satisfaction) have changed over time.
Data IPY – Baffin Bay. Based on International Polar Year (IPY) human survey data (2007-2008) on marine resources consumption in the region of Baffin Bay, we could have knowledge about Inuit preferences and uses.
Modeling nutrient content, sea ice conditions, abundance and diversity of sentinel marine resources.
Sample analysis : quality nutrition. We will purchase samples of sentinel marine species that were hunted, trapped or fished locally and measure chemical elements of interest for food security, such as lipids and micro-elements (collaboration with Wildlife Management Board and Hunters and Trappers Organization).

Combining the results from previous co-documentation, we will establish food quality indicators, in a dietary model, to predict the impact of climate and PSB changes on local Inuit food systems and security.

Food security initiative