Tarium Niryutait is a marine protected area (MPA) located in the coastal areas of the Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada. It is located within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and was the first Arctic MPA established in Canada. The MPA was established with the goal of protecting Beluga whales and the biodiversity of other bird and fish species and their habitats.[1]
| Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area | |
|---|---|
 Satellite image of the Mackenzie Delta area where the Tarium Niryutait MPA is located | |
  Location of Tarium Nirtyutait MPA along the coasts of the Northwest Territories and Yukon  Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area (Canada) | |
| Location | Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Northwest Territories/Yukon, Canada |
| Nearest city | Tuktoyaktuk (hamlet) Inuvik Aklavik (hamlet) |
| Coordinates | 69°20′58″N 135°15′50″W / 69.349363°N 135.263777°W |
| Area | 1,750 km2 (680 sq mi) |
| Designation | Marine Protected Area |
| Established | August 2010 |
| Governing body | Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
| Website | Tarium Niryutait MPA |
Geography
editTarium Niryutait is divided into three sections adjacent to the Mackenzie Delta that together cover an area of 1,750 square kilometres (680 sq mi):[1][2]
- Niaqunnaq (Shallow Bay) is located on the western side of the Mackenzie Delta containing part of Mackenzie Bay,
- Okeevik (East Mackenzie Bay), the most northern area, encompasses a triangular region between Pelly Island, Garry Island and Kendall Island, adjacent to the Kendall Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary,[3] and,
- Kittigaryuit (Kugmallit Bay), the easternmost region, is located to the west of the hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, and surrounds Hendrickson Island. It is also located near the Pingo National Landmark.[4]
These areas are very shallow and heavily influenced by the Mackenzie River during summer, and seasonal land-fast sea ice. The regions lie adjacent to seasonal stamukhi zone which impounds the Mackenzie River during the winter and spring.[5]
Ecology
editThe area is an important summer habitat of the Eastern Beaufort Sea Beluga population. The whales return annually in June once the sea-ice has broken up and remain until September.[2] Other mammals observed in the area include bowhead whales, polar bears and ringed seals.[1]
Notable fish species that occur in the region include Pacific herring, Dolly Varden, broad whitefish, and Arctic cisco, among others.[2]
The Tarium Niryutait MPA area is also used by many important waterfowl throughout their life cycles. For example, ice edges are frequented by the Ivory gull, which is endangered in Canada.[2][6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area (TN MPA)". www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- ^ a b c d "Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Areas Management Plan" (PDF). Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2013. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- ^ "Kendall Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary". canada.ca. Environment and natural resources Canada. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
- ^ "Pingo Canadian Landmark". parks.canada.ca. Parks Canada. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
- ^ Carmack, Eddy C.; Macdonald, Robie W. (2002). "Oceanography of the Canadian Shelf of the Beaufort Sea: A Setting for Marine Life". Arctic. 55 (5): 29–45. doi:10.14430/arctic733.
- ^ "Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea)". Status of Birds in Canada 2019. Government of Canada. Retrieved 2023-06-02.