The federal government has signed an agreement with the Government of Nunavut and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association to work together to protect the High Arctic Basin—an area north of Grise Fiord known in Inuktitut as Tuvaijuittuq, which means “the ice never melts.”

The memorandum of understanding spells out how the parties “agree to assess the feasibility of creating marine protected areas within Tuvaijuittuq, and which may include interim protection measures,” according to a news release.

“This work will look at the social, environmental, and economic benefits of creating marine protected areas in this region, giving full consideration to the Nunavut Agreement and the Nunavut Act.”

As Arctic sea ice continues to melt, Tuvaijuittuq may offer a last refuge for ice-dependent species, such as polar bears, beluga whales, narwhals and seals.

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