Beaufort Sea

The Beaufort Sea of Canada’s western Arctic stretches across the northern coasts of the Northwest Territories and Yukon, and into Alaska. It’s home to abundant wildlife including fish like Arctic char, birds like the king eider, marine mammals like beluga and bowhead whales, and predators like the polar bear. Today, as it has for thousands of years, the Beaufort Sea supports the livelihoods and culture of the Inupiat, Inuvialuit and Gwich’in peoples.

But the future of this region is at risk, as sea ice retreats and interest in development increases. This is why WWF is working on the ground with communities, to ensure wildlife remains abundant and healthy in the Beaufort Sea ecosystem, and that habitats are managed sustainably in a rapidly changing Arctic.


In the Beaufort Sea, the ecosystem extends across the Canada-Alaska border. Likewise, many of the important local species are highly migratory and travel great distances into Alaskan and Russian waters in the Beaufort, Chukchi and Bering Seas. Beginning in 2012, WWF has organized a series of workshops that bring together Inupiat and Inuvialuit groups to discuss cross-border Integrated Ocean Management in the Beaufort Sea. Giving these neighbours an opportunity to explore shared values and knowledge opens the door to more collaborative management that will help people and nature live in harmony.
© Dan Slavik

Research and Traditional Knowledge

In the Beaufort Sea, scientific research and the traditional knowledge of the Inuvialuit people work hand in hand. In addition to helping to shape the way the land is managed, locals assist in monitoring species, using generations of experience and expertise to learn more about wildlife.

For example, with help from the community of Tuktoyaktuk and local harvesters, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has developed a comprehensive picture of beluga health. WWF is working with other communities in the region to support similar community-based initiatives.

To help bring tradition and science together, WWF participated in Elder-Youth Workshop on Beluga Health and Climate Change on Egg Island, Darnely Bay. The workshop taught local youth about the importance of traditional knowledge shared through storytelling and cultural events.


© Dan Slavik

WWF also supported the development of an Inuvialuit traditional knowledge database to make previous studies available for use by decision-makers and community members. With years of research offering invaluable insights, this information is now available to play a central role in shaping planning and management decisions. To make its use even easier, WWF is helping compile and digitize the data for use in mapping software, a key aspect of the planning process.

Working with Communities

Inuvialuit communities actively use the lands, waters, and coastline for subsistence harvesting. In remote areas - which are often in or near important wildlife habitat - managing the waste created through these activities can be challenging, since logistics are tricky, and it can be expensive.