The Effect of Anadromous Arctic Charr (Salvelinus alpinus) on Food Web Structure and Contaminant Concentrations in Coastal Arctic Lakes

spring, anadromous (sea-run) arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) hatch in freshwater lakes in the circumpolar North. In the West Kitikmeot region of Nunavut, the charr spend 3-8 years growing in these lakes before beginning annual migrations to the sea (Johnson, 1989). They feed in the sea for approximately 2-4 weeks before returning to freshwater to spawn or overwinter, or both (Johnson, 1989; Klemetsen et al., 2003). Arctic charr are both culturally and economically significant to Northerners and represented more than 40% of traditional-use species harvested in Nunavut between 1996 and 2001 (Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, 2004). They are also vulnerable to a variety of anthropogenic Stressors, including climate change and industrial development. Climate-induced changes to migration routes are impacting sea-run arctic charr populations. Migrations are less successful in warm, dry years when flows in migratory streams are not high enough (Svenning and Gullestad, 2002), and increases in temperature can also have negative effects on stock size and recruitment (Power et al., 2000). Some northern communities have already noted climate-induced changes to migration habitat used by sea-run arctic charr and are attempting to restore and manage this habitat. For example, the community of Kugluktuk is currently documenting and teaching youth the history of a traditional fishing area near Bernard Harbour, and the community would like to examine the feasibility of restoring migration habitat for sea-run arctic charr in this area.