Nordeco was invited by Greenland Home Rule Government to participate in a 4-day seminar on “Sustainable Management of Living Resources” for hunters and fishermen and the local government administration in Greenland, February 18-21, 2008.

The livelihood of the 2,500-3,000 full-time hunters and fishermen in Greenland is threatened by climate change and decline in the populations of wildlife. With the rapid change in ice cover, the future of the Arctic hunting and fishing communities is uncertain. Moreover, Greenland is being criticised internationally for the decline in the numbers of several species. The Home Rule Government has issued a set of new regulations for hunting but these regulations are not benefiting from support of the local people.

Around 80 people participated in the seminar, mostly professional hunters and fishers from the local sections of Greenland Hunter and Fisher Organization (KNAPK). Key discussion themes at the seminar were:

- National and international obligations in relation to sustainable use of living resources,

- Climate changes, and how to adapt species management to changing wildlife populations,

- Decentralised approaches to management of living resources, and

- Future economic perspectives for professional hunters and fishermen in Greenland.

Finn Danielsen of Nordeco presented international lessons on locally-based monitoring and management of natural resources with particular focus on perspectives for the Arctic. His presentation was based on his recent paper “Native Knowledge” published in Science.

The seminar was organized by Greenland Home Rule, Greenland Hunter and Fisher Organization (KNAPK) and Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. Funding was provided by the Home Rule and DANCEA.

Photo by Elmer Topp-Jørgensen