MPA Introduction

The Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) is home to two unique Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), created through a strong partnership between the Inuvialuit and the Government of Canada under the Oceans Act (1991). These special areas are co-managed by the Inuvialuit—through local Hunters and Trappers Committees, the Inuvialuit Game Council, and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation—working together with the Fisheries Joint Management Committee and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. MPAs help safeguard marine life by limiting activities that could harm endangered species, marine mammals, fish habitats, and areas rich in biodiversity (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 1999). This collaborative approach ensures that these waters remain healthy and productive for generations to come.

The Tarium Niryutait MPA

The Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area (TNMPA), established in August 2010, is Canada’s first Arctic MPA. Spanning about 1,750 km², it includes three distinct areas: Niaqunnaq, Okeevik, and Kittigaryut (Figure 1). Located in the coastal waters of the Mackenzie estuary, TNMPA holds deep cultural significance for the Inuvialuit. These waters are home to vibrant ecosystems that support key subsistence species such as beluga whales, anadromous fish, and waterfowl—ensuring food security and cultural continuity for generations.

Figure 1: Map of the Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area.

Note: Image taken from https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/mpa-zpm/tarium-niryutait/index-eng.html. Accessed December 2, 2025.

For more information on the TNMPA, visit:

https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/mpa-zpm/tarium-niryutait/index-eng.html

The Anguniaqvia Niqiqyuam MPA

The Anguniaqvia Niqiqyuam Marine Protected Area (ANMPA), established in 2016, spans about 2,358 km² of pristine coastal waters off the Cape Parry Peninsula near the community of Paulatuk, NT (Figure 2). These waters are among the most biologically rich in the Arctic, lying just north of the Cape Parry Migratory Bird Sanctuary. ANMPA protects vital habitats for species such as beluga whales, Arctic char, and ringed and bearded seals—species that are essential to the Inuvialuit way of life. Remarkably, ANMPA is the first Marine Protected Area in Canada with a conservation objective grounded in Indigenous Knowledge, reflecting the deep connection between people and the land and sea.

Figure 2: Map of the Anguniaqvia Niqiqyuam MPA

Note: Image taken from  https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/mpa-zpm/anguniaqvia-niqiqyuam/index-eng.html. Accessed December 2, 2025.

For more information on the ANMPA, visit:

https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceans/mpa-zpm/anguniaqvia-niqiqyuam/index-eng.html

If you have any questions or comments related to Marine Protected Areas in the ISR, please contact:

Kayla Hansen-Craik

Joint Secretariat

Tel: (867) 777-2828

Fax: (867) 777-2610