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Vessel traffic in the Canadian Arctic has tripled over the last 25 years, with more growth expected as the climate continues to change, and sea ice is lost – along with increased tourism and resource development in the region. To understand what this means for Arctic ecosystems, the Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR) and Clear Seas funded a two-year research project to explore marine vessel traffic in the area. Understanding historical trends, evolving risks, environmental challenges, and the concerns of Northern and Inuit communities is vital to effectively managing commercial shipping and tourism-related marine traffic in the coming years.
The project’s objectives included an evaluation of past marine shipping traffic trends from 1990 to 2018 in the Canadian Arctic as well as a projection of future trends. The project also sought to review best practices for ship traffic management and assess visitors’ impact on protected marine areas as tourism in the region grows. Critically, the project aimed to centralize the input of Inuit and Northern communities during the process of establishing new shipping traffic management systems.
