Surveillance for Zoonotic Pathogens and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit of Ringed Seals (nattiit) (Pusa hispida) in Frobisher Bay and Eclipse Sound, Nunavut, Canada

Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) (nattiq (s.), nattiit (pl.) [Inuktut]) provide an important food staple for Nunavummiut (Indigenous residents of Nunavut). We studied the health of nattiit harvested by hunters from Baffin Island, Nunavut, via Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and veterinary science. We conducted serological surveys and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for select zoonotic pathogens, including Brucella spp., Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Leptospira interrogans and Toxoplasma gondii, in 55 nattiit from Frobisher Bay (FB) and 58 nattiit from Eclipse Sound (ES). We used a digestion assay to determine the presence of Trichinella spp. larvae in muscle samples from these seals. We conducted interviews with nine Local Knowledge Holders (LKHs) from Iqaluit (FB) and nine from Pond Inlet (ES) to gather their observations about nattiq health. The hunters evaluate nattiq health through a combination of behavior, nutritional condition, and appearance of skin and organs. They rarely observed severely ill nattiit. Hunters from ES but not from FB observed declining nattiit population numbers. In both regions, they observed increased numbers of harp seals (Phoca groenlandica). Frequencies of natural exposure among nattiit from FB and ES, based on seroprevalence, were 20.5% and 37% for Brucella spp., 25% and 11% for E. rhusiopathiae, 93% and 100% for L. interrogans, and 10% and 27% for T. gondii, respectively; PCR was negative for these pathogens in organs and tissues of seropositive animals. We did not detect larvae of Trichinella spp. Knowledge and experience from the LKHs in assessing nattiq health, complemented by negative findings from direct detection methods, provide reassurance about the safety of nattiit as country food, despite their exposure to some zoonotic pathogens in their natural environment.Les phoques annelés (Pusa hispida) (nattiq (s.), nattiit (pl.) [en inuktut]) constituent une source de nourriture importante pour les Nunavummiut (habitants autochtones du Nunavut). Nous avons étudié l’état de santé des nattiit collectés par les chasseurs de l’île de Baffin, au Nunavut à l’aide de l’Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit et de la science vétérinaire. La sérologie et l’amplification en chaîne par polymérase (PCR) ont été employées pour étudier certains pathogènes susceptibles de causer une zoonose, dont Brucella spp., Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Leptospira interrogans et Toxoplasma gondii, chez 55 nattiit de la baie Frobisher (BF) et 58 nattiit du détroit d’Éclipse (ES). Un test de digestion a été utilisé pour déterminer la présence de larves de Trichinella spp. dans des échantillons de muscle de ces phoques. Nous avons interviewé neuf détenteurs de savoirs locaux (DSL) d’Iqaluit (BF) et neuf DSL de Pond Inlet (ES) afin de recueillir leurs observations sur l’état de santé des nattiit. Les chasseurs évaluent l’état de santé des nattiit à partir de leur comportement, de leur état nutritionnel ainsi que de l’apparence de leur peau et de leurs organes. Ils ont rarement vu des nattiit sévèrement malades. Les chasseurs d’ES ont observé un déclin de la population de nattiit, ce qui n’a pas été le cas des chasseurs de la BF. Dans les deux régions, ils ont observé une augmentation du nombre de phoques du Groenland (Phoca groenlandica). Les fréquences d’exposition naturelle parmi les nattiit de la BF et d’ES, basées sur la séroprévalence, étaient de 20,5 % et de 37 % pour Brucella spp., de 25 % et de 11 % pour E. rhusiopathiae, de 93 % et de 100 % pour L. interrogans et de 10 % et de 27 % pour T. gondii, respectivement. La présence de ces pathogènes dans les tissus et organes d’animaux séropositifs n’a pas été détectée par PCR. Des larves de Trichinella spp. n’ont pas été détectées. Le savoir et l’expérience des DSL pour déterminer l’état de santé des nattiit ainsi que les résultats négatifs obtenus des méthodes de détection directes fournissent une preuve de la salubrité des nattiit comme source de nourriture traditionnelle, malgré le fait qu’ils soient exposés à certains agents pathogènes zoonotiques dans leur milieu naturel

Contributions and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples to the study of mercury in the Arctic

Arctic Indigenous Peoples are among the most exposed humans when it comes to foodborne mercury (Hg). In response, Hg monitoring and research have been on-going in the circumpolar Arctic since about 1991; this work has been mainly possible through the involvement of Arctic Indigenous Peoples. The present overview was initially conducted in the context of a broader assessment of Hg research organized by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme. This article provides examples of Indigenous Peoples' contributions to Hg monitoring and research in the Arctic, and discusses approaches that could be used, and improved upon, when carrying out future activities. Over 40 mercury projects conducted with/by Indigenous Peoples are identified for different circumpolar regions including the U.S., Canada, Greenland, Sweden, Finland, and Russia as well as instances where Indigenous Knowledge contributed to the understanding of Hg contamination in the Arctic. Perspectives and visions of future Hg research as well as recommendations are presented. The establishment of collaborative processes and partnership/co-production approaches with scientists and Indigenous Peoples, using good communication practices and transparency in research activities, are key to the success of research and monitoring activities in the Arctic. Sustainable funding for community-driven monitoring and research programs in Arctic countries would be beneficial and assist in developing more research/ monitoring capacity and would promote a more holistic approach to understanding Hg in the Arctic. These activities should be well connected to circumpolar/international initiatives to ensure broader availability of the information and uptake in policy development

No plastics detected in seal (Phocidae) stomachs harvested in the eastern Canadian Arctic

Through collaboration with Inuit hunters, we examined the stomach contents of 142 seals (ringed seals [Phoca hispida; n = 135], bearded seals [Erignathus barbatus; n = 6], and one harbour seal [Phoca vitualina; n = 1]) hunted between 2007 and 2019 from communities around Nunavut to assess whether seals in the eastern Canadian Arctic ingest and retain plastics in their stomachs. The seals in this study ranged from juveniles to adults of up to 30 years of age, and 55% of the seals were males. We found no evidence of plastic ingestion in any of the seals suggesting that seals in Nunavut are not accumulating plastics (>425 μm) in their stomachs. These data provide important baseline information for future plastic pollution monitoring programs in the Arctic