Inuit and Local Knowledge on the Marine Ecosystem in Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland

Local fishers in Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland, are adapting their fishing strategies to rapid environmental changes driven by climate change. The study reveals that increased ice clearing events during winter have shifted traditional dogsled fishing to boat-based methods when the main fjord becomes navigable. However, deteriorating sea ice conditions and reduced accessibility in the southern branch of the fjord system have led fishers from Qasigiannguit to visit the area less frequently. Despite these challenges, Ilulissat Icefjord remains a critical fishing and hunting ground due to its larger Greenland halibut and ringed seal populations compared to Disco Bay. The research highlights the immediate impacts of climate change on local ecosystems, including altered ice conditions, fjord accessibility, and the emergence of Atlantic cod, which were previously absent in significant numbers. This study combines interview surveys with Inuit and local knowledge to document these changes.

Schiøtt, S., Tejsner, P., & Rysgaard, S. (2021). Inuit and Local Knowledge on the Marine Ecosystem in Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland. Human Ecology, 50(1), 167–181. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-021-00277-2