Timing Windows

NUNAVUT IN-WATER CONSTRUCTION TIMING WINDOWS FOR THE PROTECTION OF FISH AND FISH HABITAT

Restricted activity timing windows have been identified for Nunavut lakes, rivers and streams to protect fish during spawning and incubation periods when spawning fish, eggs and fry are vulnerable to disturbance or sediment. During these periods, no in-water or shoreline work is allowed except under site-or project-specific review and with the implementation of protective measures. Restricted activity periods are determined on a case by case basis according to the species of fish in the water body, whether those fish spawn in the spring, summer or fall, and where the water body is located.

Timing windows are just one of many measures used to protect fish and fish habitat when carrying out a work or undertaking in or around water. Be sure to follow all of the measures outlined in the Operational Statements to avoid negative impacts to fish habitat.

Figure 1: Fish Timing Zones for Nunavut.

How To Determine Timing Windows

1. Determine if the water body is in Zone 1 or 2 according to Figure 1.
2. If the water body is in Zone 2, determine the fish species living in the water body where you wish to do work. Consult with local sources such as hunter and trapper organizations (HTO), wildlife officers, or contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
3. Determine whether the fish living in the water body spawn in the spring or fall according to Table 1. Where both spring and fall spawning fish are present, or if it is unknown what species are in the water body, both timing windows should be combined to adequately protect all species.
4. Using Table 2 below determine the in-water work timing restrictions according to the location of a water body (Zone 1 or 2) and whether the species in the water body spawn in the spring or fall. During these periods, in-water or shoreline work (below the ordinary high water mark) is not permitted without site or project-specific review by DFO.

Table 1:
General Range of Spawning Times in Nunavut.

Species	Spawning Period (Spring/Fall)
Arctic Char Lake Trout Whitefish ¹ Arctic Grayling Northern Pike	Fall Fall Fall Spring Spring

¹ Includes Broad, Lake and Round Whitefish

Table 2:
Timing Window when In-Water Activities are NOT permitted, by Zone and Spawning Period.

Zone	Spring Spawning Fish	Fall Spawning Fish	Spring & Fall Spawning or Unknown Species
1	N/A	September 1 to June 30	N/A
2	May 1 to July 15	August 15 to June 30	August 15 to July 15

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