What is Imappivut?
Imappivut is a plan to manage and protect Labrador Inuit interests in the coastal and marine areas of Labrador.
Imappivut means “Our Oceans” in English and was designed to represent the relationship that Labrador Inuit have with coastal and marine areas. The plan is guided by the values, knowledge, and interests of Labrador Inuit. Imappivut celebrates the connections Inuit have with the marine environment and works to contribute to the health and wellbeing of Labrador Inuit.
The Imappivut Marine Plan will:
- Fully implement Chapter 6 of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement (LILCA)
- Cover the full extent of the 48 690 km2 of coastal and marine areas included in LILCA
- Develop a co-management plan out to the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone
- Represent the full diversity of species, habitats, and community interests
- Ensure Labrador Inuit have a voice in decisions that affect them
“The Imappivut initiative is about recognizing Labrador Inuit connection, knowledge and rights to our ocean.”
Vision
To create an integrated and adaptive marine plan for the full extent of the waters covered by the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement that represents the diversity of the marine environment and the interests of Nunatsiavut communities.
How Will Imappivut Be Created?
Imappivut will work with communities to gather knowledge about areas, uses, and activities that have ecological, social, cultural, and economic importance to Labrador Inuit. This knowledge will inform the development of a marine plan that represents Labrador Inuit interests and priorities.
Using the best available traditional, local, and scientific knowledge, Imappivut will identify research, monitoring, and stewardship activities that will address community priorities. Imappivut prioritizes Nunatsiavut’s interests and works to ensure that Labrador Inuit will continue to enjoy a healthy marine environment for generations to come.
Contributing to Canada’s Biodiversity Targets
“Our Government is proud of this historic partnership with the Nunatsiavut Government, the ‘Imappivut’ initiative, to protect the ocean in Northern Labrador.”
To achieve international targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Government of Canada committed to protect 10% of its marine areas by 2020. Across the country, Inuit communities identified 21% of Arctic waters that require a distinct approach to environmental management. This distinct approach must include respect for Inuit lifestyles and priorities for marine resources. However, currently only 1% of Arctic waters are protected across Inuit Nunangat.
In September 2017, the Nunatsiavut Government and the Government of Canada signed a Statement of Intent to begin an ocean management initiative in the Labrador Sea. This agreement solidified the Government of Canada’s support for Imappivut and committed them as a partner in pursuing the project. Imappivut will be an important step in ensuring that Nunatsiavut waters are managed and protected with Inuit interests at the forefront of decision-making while also contributing to achieving Canada’s international marine conservation targets.
An initiative of the Nunatsiavut Government.