About Us

Baffin Fisheries Coalition Created

Baffin Fisheries Coalition was created to invest in a fishing fleet and develop the capacity for a sustainable Inuit-owned and managed turbot fishery in Nunavut. In 2000, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced that the fishery in the region would be managed as a separate unit and Nunavut would receive the exploratory quota of 3,500-tonnes.

Niqitaq Fisheries Limited Created

Starting from scratch, fishing operations were initially managed through southern partnerships. In 2003,  Baffin Fisheries began the transition towards self-sufficiency through the creation of Niqitaq Fisheries Ltd. (NFL), a wholly-owned subsidiary which managed operations and began investing in shares in vessels.

Niqitaq Incorporates 2 new companies

In 2005, through its subsidiary Niqitaq Fisheries, Baffin Fisheries gained a 51% interest in two factory freezer harvesting vessels, the multi-species trawler, Inuksuk I, and the fixed gear vessel Sikuvut.

Niqitaq Fisheries Purchases Fishing Vessel

Niqitaq Fisheries purchased the old, idle fishing vessel, Vinlander, and resurrected a plan to revitalize the vessel into an efficient modern factory freezer, known today as the Arluk II.

Full Ownership achieved by 5 Nunavut HTA’s

In 2011, the five Hunting and Trapping Associations of Baffin Island took over full ownership of Baffin Fisheries.  To further develop capacity and maximize the benefit of the resource, Arluk II Fisheries Ltd. was incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary and was responsible for the purchase and refit of the fixed gear factory freezer harvesting vessel the Arluk II.

BFC purchased remaining OFL Shares

In 2012, Baffin Fisheries purchased the minority shares in OFL, transitioning from partial to full ownership. Since 2012, Baffin Fisheries has strived to increase development of the fishing industry in Nunavut. Baffin Fisheries recognizes that through sound fiscal management, strategic growth, infrastructure development, and continued expansion, it can position itself as a leader in the fishing industry, providing maximum benefit to its member organizations and the people of Nunavut.

Baffin Fisheries achieves 100% Ownership

Baffin Fisheries achieved the goal of 100% fleet ownership and Inuit control in 2015 and began implementing a plan to further increase benefits to Nunavut. The plan include generating economic activity in Nunavut communities; increasing the number of Inuit beneficiaries’ onboard vessels and in administrative and management positions; increasing fishing capacity; supporting economic development in Nunavut communities; vertically integrating the Company to include vessel management, sales & marketing, and training support.

Improved Inuit Engagement

In 2016 the Company focused on improving Inuit engagement, governance and management of the Company, and returning a greater percentage of profits to Nunavut. The Company doubled the number of Inuit directors from five to ten and began recruiting a team of Inuit recruitment personnel devoted to increasing the number of Inuit working on board our vessels. Baffin Fisheries remains committed of its drive to help the HTOs achieve economic independence.

Board Approves Plan to Procure New Vessel

In late 2018 the Board of Directors made improvements to Board governance and committee involvement and operations. Baffin Fisheries hired a new Business Development Manager in Iqaluit and completed office improvements to the Baffin Fisheries head office, located in Iqaluit and leased from the Amaruq HTO. In 2019 the Board approved a plan to procure a new vessel to replace part of its aging fleet. 

Signed Contract for New 80 meter Vessel

The Board of Directors of Baffin Fisheries announced the Company secured financing and signed a shipyard contract for the construction of a clean-design, purpose-built, 80-metre stern trawler, to be delivered in 2024. The new vessel is designed by Skipsteknisk A/S of Norway and will be constructed by Tersan Shipyard of Turkey, the world leaders in stern trawler design and construction. The vessel is expected to be the largest Canadian-owned fishing vessel from coast to coast to coast, with a capacity for up to 1,320 tonnes of frozen-at-sea Greenland Halibut (turbot) or 930 tonnes of cold-water shrimp. “This is a great accomplishment for a 100% Inuit-owned company that’s just 20 years old,” said Baffin Fisheries Chairman David Alexander in Iqaluit. “The new vessel will allow us to immediately increase benefits to Nunavut communities and improve employment opportunities and working conditions for our Inuit fishermen.”

Baffin Seafood Launched - New Sales Company

Baffin Fisheries opens its subsidiary sales company Baffin Seafood to begin marketing and selling all its seafood products.  Baffin Seafood will sell products from other fish harvesters in Canada and Europe.

Baffin Fisheries takes Delivery of New Vessel - Inuksuk II

Baffin Fisheries announced it has taken delivery of its new 80-metre fishing trawler, Inuksuk II, at the Tersan Shipyard in Turkey. The state-of-the-art stern trawler becomes the largest Canadian owned fishing vessel, and will soon begin operations in the Eastern Arctic, harvesting shrimp and Greenland halibut (Turbot) for its Inuit owners. “We are thrilled to have made this significant investment for the people of our communities in the Baffin region of Nunavut and appreciate all the attention and effort that has been invested in Inukshuk II by all involved,” said Baffin Fisheries Chair Kelly Kilabuk, who was in Turkey for negotiations and planning for the vessel’s voyage to Canada for fishing trials and naming ceremony January 2025. “This beautiful vessel will serve us well for decades to come, and will be an exciting, rewarding place to work.”