Whales get sanctuary

Canadian Press

Monday, July 11, 2005

VANCOUVER -- After more than 20 years of negotiation and delay, federal wildlife officials say Canada is about to declare its first marine sanctuary for bowhead whales.

"I think we're there," said Bill Gummer, director of the Canadian Wildlife Service for the Prairies and Northern region. "We're just knocking on the door."

The waters of Isabella Bay, on the northeast coast of Baffin Island near the community of Clyde River, are covered by ice nine months of the year. But by mid-July, the sea ice breaks up and the bay's currents grow rich in the tiny marine animals bowheads eat. That's when the open water teems with whales the size of city buses.

"You can see them every day," said Joelie Sanguya, a Clyde River resident who's fought to have the bay declared a national wildlife area since 1982.

The 20-metre-long whales rub their noses and clean their skin by brushing along sandbars in the area, Sanguya said.

Wildlife officials have estimated the number of whales who visit Isabella Bay -- Igaliqtuuq in Inuktitut -- at about 300, although local Inuit say there are many more.

Department officials say no announcements are yet planned.
© The Vancouver Sun 2005