NIRB file 26YN049, a scientific-research proposal titled “Pond Inlet Arctic Char Stock Assessment,” entered public commenting on July 29, 2026 and is still listed as ACTIVE SCREENING. DFO proposes to work with the Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Organization and a four-person field crew—two DFO representatives and two Pond Inlet residents—to sample Arctic Char at Tuniit and Satuut. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

The proposed sampling is intended to fill information gaps about two local char stocks and mixed-stock harvest locations. NIRB says the resulting analysis is meant to provide managers, the HTO and the community with a stock-status update to assist future decisions; it does not itself change harvesting rules, quotas or allocations. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

NIRB must complete its screening and issue the next regulatory step. The project dashboard does not yet show a completed screening date, a board decision or an end date for the public-comment period. DFO’s project summary says it plans to provide a plain-language report to the Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Organization in December 2026 and meet in person in May 2027. ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗

Submission date: July 29, 2026 for the English Notice of Screening and Comment Request; an Inuktitut version was added August 13, 2026. Project number: 26YN049. Project name: Pond Inlet Arctic Char Stock Assessment. Document type: Notice of Screening and Comment Request. Direct attachment: ᓇᑭᓐᖔᖅᓯᒪᓂᖏᑦ↗. NIRB lists the file as scientific research in the North Baffin region and records a CIRNAC comment submission on August 4.