Nunivak Island Subsistence Cod, Red Salmon and Grayling Fisheries – past and present.
Year 1 Progress report.

Title: Nunivak Island Subsistence Cod, Red Salmon and Grayling Fisheries – past and present.
Project Number: 05-353
Principal Investigator: Robert M. Drozda, 1125 Powellite Drive , Fairbanks , AK 99712 ; (907)457-2773; email: fnrmd1@uaf.edu
Co-Investigator: Howard T. Amos, Executive Director, Nuniwarmiut Piciryarata Tamaryalkuti, Inc. [NPT, Inc.] (Nunivak Cultural Programs), P.O. Box 26, Mekoryuk, AK 99630; (907)827-8823; email: pantungan@yahoo.com

Objectives and Results: The primary objective of the study is to develop baseline information and compile historical references, including oral history, on the traditional and customary uses of Pacific cod, red salmon and Arctic grayling by Nunivak Islanders. Objectives requiring field work to map fishing locations, survey fish campers and survey commercial halibut fishers on their subsistence by-catch has been postponed to year two of this two-year project. A preliminary survey of commercial halibut fishers' Pacific cod by-catch conducted in July 2005 provided baseline data and alerted PIs to some shortcomings in surveying techniques. Thirty fishermen were surveyed on 4 days, reporting 128 halibut, 98 cod and one pollock caught with a maximum number of 10 Pacific cod caught by one fisher in one day.

Internet and literature search is ongoing; thus far review has resulted in very little data regarding the subsistence use of Pacific cod by Nunivak Islanders. Contemporary regional subsistence and fisheries studies (ADFG, USFWS, NMFS, NOAA) scarcely acknowledge the Pacific cod as a subsistence food. Two obscure but relevant government reports concerning Nunivak fisheries (Hout 1966 and Hout 1972) have been digitally scanned and converted to PDF files for inclusion on the Nunivak.org website. Thus far only Lantis' summary of 1939-40 fieldwork provides specific (but very limited) numbers relating to a subsistence cod catch at Nunivak (Lantis 1946). Archeological evidence of the historic abundance of cod at one important site is summarized in Griffin (2004). The most significant identified archival resources are a few historical photographs showing large numbers of Pacific cod being processed at several Nunivak locales.

Contrary to the lack of published data, Nuniwarmiut consistently speak of the historical importance of Pacific cod. Oral testimony taken from elders indicates that Pacific cod were among the most significant food resources prior to the mid-1940s. Although specific dates have not been obtained, elders consistently and independently agree on relative dates for “disappearance” of the resource. Interviews were conducted and tape recorded with six elders in four interview sessions. Two sessions were conducted in English and two in Cup'ig with direct English interpretations.

Oral history interviews were loosely structured and minimized direct questioning to respect cultural practices. Interviews typically began with brief interviewee biography and residence history (i.e. birthplace, subsistence camps and travels). Interviews focused on Pacific Cod – natural history, biology, subsistence use, processing and storage. Overall the interviews were specific and very productive. Several key elders remain to be interviewed. Transcription, translation and or summaries of interviews are in progress.

Also in progress is the compilation of a comprehensive Nunivak bibliography and glossary specific to Bering Sea environment, fisheries, fish anatomy and technology. Currently 106 Cup'ig language terms have been identified, tabulated and cross-referenced to other Bering Sea languages. Interviews revealed several previously unrecorded Cup'ig terms.

A preliminary boat trip in mid-June 2005 offered the opportunity to test equipment and photo document several fish camps. Approximately one quarter of the Nunivak coast was traversed in the trip and significant camps, sites and landforms were photo-documented; no fish sampling occurred.

Nunivak Island Subsistence Cod, Red Salmon and Grayling Fisheries – past and present. Year 1 Progress report.

Nunivak Island Subsistence Cod, Red Salmon and Grayling Fisheries – past and present.
Year 1 Progress report.