For Immediate Release – July 19, 2012
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DFO and NunatuKavut strike up talks on the Upper Lake Melville fishery.

The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) and The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) agree to talks relating to NCC's aboriginal fishery in upper Lake Melville. In recent days, DFO and NCC have been in discussions about establishing a process of meetings to address outstanding issues surrounding NunatuKavut's access for food, social and ceremonial purposes.

The initial meeting will take place July 30th, 2012, with subsequent meetings taking place thereafter. In light of this process, the NCC will suspend its fishery in the upper Lake Melville area for the time being.

NCC President, Todd Russell says, "It was a difficult decision for the organization to make. We are entering into this process with our eyes wide open and in hopes that it will lead to a respectful resolution." Russell adds, "NCC will do everything in its power to arrive at a satisfactory agreement. We have been assured by DFO that this is a genuine effort on their part."

This is the first time that DFO and NCC have entered into specific talks on the upper Lake Melville fishery since 2004.

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Media Contact:

Tara McLean
Executive Assistant to the President
NunatuKavut Community Council
(709) 896-0592 ext. 225
(709) 899-2831
tmclean@nunatukavut.ca