Environment and Conservation
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs

November 3, 2008

Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Host North American Caribou Workshop

Caribou and reindeer are the main topic of discussion as more than 125 registered delegates gather in Happy Valley-Goose Bay today for a three-day workshop to share technical knowledge and discuss emerging issues around caribou of North America and reindeer of Russia and Scandinavia.

The Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs, will bring greetings on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to delegates of the 12th North American Caribou Workshop. The workshop will take place at Hotel North Two in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, beginning at 7:00 p.m. On Thursday, November 6, the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Acting Minister of Environment and Conservation, will address the delegates at 7:30 p.m.

"Labradorians enjoy a deep and profound relationship with the caribou," said Minister Hickey. "Perhaps more than any other animal, caribou hold a special prominence, a deep connection to our cultures and traditions. The people of Labrador are proud to host an international event dedicated to this impressive creature, which has sustained our peoples for thousands of years and left a lasting imprint on our cultural identity."

"This year�s workshop includes participation from individuals from around the world and will provide an opportunity for people of various interests and backgrounds to network and share ideas against a beautiful and culturally rich landscape," said Minister Jackman. "The workshop is a forum for researchers, managers, and stakeholders to celebrate past successes and work together to ensure future accomplishments."

The minister said that the theme of this year�s workshop, Integrating Understanding Across Ecotypes, is relevant to the province which is home to four different recognized caribou ecotypes.

"We are blessed to have the sedentary woodland caribou of central Labrador, the mountain caribou of the Torngats, the migratory George River herd and the woodland caribou of Newfoundland," said Minister Jackman. "A number of significant challenges are present because of this diversity, but we are committed to addressing these areas."

Several renowned caribou experts will deliver keynote addresses on various topics of interest:

  • Shane P. Mahoney, Executive Director of the Sustainable Development and Strategic Science Branch of the Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, will present The Fall, Rise and Decline of Newfoundland Caribou: Review of Population History and a Search for Primary Causes.

  • Serge Courturier, Arctic Wildlife Bilologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife, Government of Quebec, will present Caribou Body Condition: Integrating Understanding Across Ecotypes.

  • John Mameamskum, Director-General/Secretary of the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, will present Naskapis and Caribou in a Context of Treaty and Aboriginal Rights.

  • John Nagy, Senior Wildlife Biologist with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, will present Use of Individual Based Models to Assess Impact Thresholds.

A number of sponsors have helped to ensure the success of this renowned event, including the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Natural Resources. The workshop is being delivered by a wide range of individuals from government agencies, Aboriginal groups, individuals, private companies, as well as caribou experts from Newfoundland and Labrador to Ontario, and Greenland to Norway.

"Government recognizes the need for sound science to manage and address the current situation of caribou populations in the province," said Minister Jackman. "It is critical at this time that these discussions occur as we recognize the important contributions to the ongoing effort to find sustainable management solutions for our caribou populations. Stakeholders� insights and discussion throughout this three-day workshop will be considered as we work toward the long-term goal of sustaining these herds for future generations."

In February 2008, government announced $15.3 million in funding for a five-year scientific and management strategy of the island woodland caribou populations. The strategy builds upon earlier efforts to better understand and mitigate the current decline in woodland caribou numbers and the role of predators in this decline.

- 30 -

Media contacts:

Melony O�Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928

moneill@gov.nl.ca

 

John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762

jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2008 11 03                                                  10:15 a.m.
 


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement