Hunters in Igloolik, Nunavut, are seeing the largest walrus herd in Canada, but official harvest limits for the area have not yet been set as of February 13, 2026. Without a final limit in place, individual hunters are currently allowed to take up to four walrus per year without a licence. Officials are working to create a more permanent plan to manage the population while protecting the local food supply.
The Foxe Basin Walrus Working Group recently finished new maps that pinpoint important locations for the animals. These maps are based on traditional knowledge from local community members and will play a major role in future hunting rules. Local groups in Igloolik are now reviewing these maps to ensure they accurately reflect where the walrus are found.
Data from Fisheries and Oceans Canada shows the Foxe Basin population is quite large, with estimates ranging from 8,153 to 13,452 animals. The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board will hold a meeting in Iqaluit on February 25, 2026, to talk about how to manage these stocks. These discussions will help determine how many walrus can be safely caught each year without hurting the herd.
Setting these limits is a key step for the community, as many people rely on the walrus for both food and income from carving ivory. While current scientific estimates suggest a safe yearly harvest is between 211 and 422 animals, the final number for the region is still being decided. The new plan aims to give hunters more certainty about their access to the animals while ensuring the population stays healthy.
