The Government of Nunavut announced in February 2026 that it will provide business planning and market support to help harvesters in Arviat, Nunavut, sell seafood to customers outside the territory. This initiative is designed to help local residents earn more money by turning traditional fishing and harvesting into a commercial business.
Residents of Arviat have a long tradition of harvesting Arctic char and beluga whales, and they have worked through the Arviat Hunters and Trappers Organization to explore commercial opportunities. The community has previously participated in projects funded by the Government of Canada to expand the local fishing and sealing industries.
To sell seafood to other provinces or international markets, local processors must follow strict rules set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This includes getting a food safety licence and meeting specific standards for how the food is packaged and handled.
The territorial government will help small local businesses navigate these federal regulations while also offering a freight subsidy. This payment helps cover the high cost of shipping seafood from remote communities to southern markets.
Commercial processing in the region is currently supported by Kivalliq Arctic Foods in Rankin Inlet, which processes caribou, fish, and whale products. This new initiative aims to help Arviat harvesters grow their own local seafood exports to support their families and the local economy.
