“After our hunting and fishing trips, we often discuss between us what we have seen. Some species are disappearing. Some species are coming back after having been away for a long time. And some species are turning up in larger numbers than before…”  Lars Olsen, Akunnaaq

In Greenland, Nordic Foundation for Development and Ecology is coordinating a Nordic programme aimed at pilot testing the use of locally-based monitoring of living resources as a tool for improving Arctic resource management.

Hunters and fishermen - like Lars Olsen - live in and experience the coastal areas of the Arctic all year round. The idea is that their knowledge, if used systematically, can be a great help in making decisions on managing the living resources.

The initial experiences of the programme are very promising. The monitoring helps the Government by pinpointing particular species or areas that are in need of more attention. The municipal authorities are already institutionalizing the activities in their day-to-day work, and they would like to expand the programme.

The programme is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Government of Greenland and the Nordic Foundation for Development and Ecology.  It is expected that the lessons from the programme will help guide the further implementation of Arctic Council’s new strategy on community-based resource monitoring.

For more information see www.pisuna.org.