Greenland and Nunavut sign new fisheries-specific Memorandum of Understanding

Press Release

July 31, 2025

(July 31, 2025 – Nuuk, Greenland) The Honourable Múte Bourup Egede, Greenland’s Minister of Finance and Taxes, joined the Honourable David Akeeagok, Minister of Community Services with the Government of Nunavut (GN), as well as Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) President Jeremy Tunraluk, and Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) President Olayuk Akesuk, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that enhances collaboration and partnership with the shared goal of sustainable fishery development in Nunavut and Greenland.

This MOU builds on the 2022 agreement between Nunavut and Greenland, strengthening cooperation to support sustainable fisheries, and advance environmental, economic, and social priorities in the region. It also reflects a shared commitment to invest in the fishery sector as a key driver of community and economic development.

With a common Inuit heritage and a long history of shared access to the fisheries in Davis Strait and Baffin Bay, both regions recognize the importance of sustainable fisheries that balance environmental and social needs with economic opportunities.  To advance these goals, a Greenland-Nunavut Fisheries Committee will be established, comprising representatives from the governments of Greenland and Nunavut, NTI, and QIA. This committee will facilitate dialogue, information-sharing, and joint action on fisheries and related issues.

“Fisheries is culturally, socially and economically the most important sector in Greenland. We’re excited about sharing our experiences on developing a strong fisheries sector with our neighbors in Nunavut and to facilitate strong partnerships for continued progress in Nunavut and Greenland. This agreement between Greenland and Nunavut on fisheries is a strong signal of collaboration on sustainable fisheries management between Inuit as well as fostering sustainable development and cooperation in the fisheries sector.” said Minister Bourup Egede of the Government of Greenland.

“This agreement sets a new precedent to growing Nunavut’s fisheries sector in partnerships with our neighbors,” said Minister Akeeagok. “By aligning with Greenland on fisheries management, we’re creating immediate opportunities for harvesters and small businesses while building a framework for long-term economic growth, benefiting both Greenlanders and Nunavummiut.”

“Inuit have depended on the ocean between Nunavut and Greenland to feed our families for generations. Today, Nunavut Inuit and Inuit-owned fishing companies continue this practice. It is vital that we protect and preserve the waters and animals so Inuit can continue to sustain our families long into the future,” said NTI President Tunraluk. “This MOU is a significant step towards collaborative international partnerships, and NTI looks forward to building the fisheries relationship between Nunavut Inuit and our partners in the Greenland and Nunavut governments.”

“For the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, the facilitation and promotion of Inuit participation in hunting, fishing, and gathering practices that sustain and strengthen Inuit culture and food security, improve nutrition, and support local economies are critical to maintaining our culture”, said QIA President Akesuk. “Fisheries represent an important activity in Canada’s north, providing subsistence resources as well as jobs in areas where unemployment and the cost of living are high relative to the rest of Canada, the signing of the Fisheries-Specific MOU advances opportunities to collaborate on areas of importance for our regions and the relationship between Inuit in Canada and in Greenland, with whom we have a shared history going back millennia.”

Contact

Tanessa Boutin
Legislation Specialist
Department of Community Services
Government of Nunavut
CS@gov.nu.ca

Katrine Kærgaard
Head of Division, Ministry of Fisheries, Hunting, Agriculture and Self-sufficiency, Government of Greenland
apn@nanoq.gl

Ivaluarjuk Merritt
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
media@tunngavik.com

Karen Flaherty
Director, Strategic Communications
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
kflaherty@qia.ca
(867) 975 – 8398

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