ABSTRACTabout hunting beluga, and Inuvialuit cosmology -the foundation of the knowledge systemwere documented through semi-structured questionnaires (n = 66), semi-structured interviews (n = 78) and focus group meetings (n = 3). This research furthers our understanding of how Inuvialuit view beluga health from the physical and behavioural characteristics of belugas, values and appropriate behaviours by harvesters and how observations made about beluga can be explained. To support the co-production of knowledge, a suite of local indicators was developed that bridged TEK about beluga condition, illness and disease with western science.

Dive behavior represents multiple ecological functions for marine mammals, but our understanding of dive characteristics is typically limited by the resolution or longevity of tagging studies. Knowledge on the time-depth structures of dives can provide insight into the behaviors represented by vertical movements; furthering our understanding of the ecological importance of habitats occupied, seasonal shifts in activity, and the energetic consequences of targeting prey at a given depth. Given our incomplete understanding of Eastern Beaufort Sea (EBS) beluga whale behavior over an annual cycle, we aimed to characterize dives made by belugas, with a focus on analyzing shifts in foraging strategies. Objectives were to (i) characterize and classify the range of beluga-specific dive types over an annual cycle, (ii) propose dive functions based on optimal foraging theory, physiology, and association with environmental variables, and (iii) identify whether belugas undergo seasonal shifts in the frequency of dives associated with variable foraging strategies. Satellite-linked time-depth-recorders (TDRs) were attached to 13 male belugas from the EBS population in 2018 and 2019, and depth data were collected in time series at a 75 s sampling interval. Tags collected data for between 13 and 357 days, including three tags which collected data across all months. A total of 90,211 dives were identified and characterized by twelve time and depth metrics and classified into eight dive types using a Gaussian mixed modeling and hierarchical clustering analysis approach. Dive structures identify various seasonal behaviors and indicate year-round foraging. Shallower and more frequent diving during winter in the Bering Sea indicate foraging may be energetically cheaper, but less rewarding than deeper diving during summer in the Beaufort Sea and Arctic Archipelago, which frequently exceeded the aerobic dive limit previously calculated for this population. Structure, frequency and association with environmental variables supports the use of other dives in recovery, transiting, and navigating through sea ice. The current study provides the first comprehensive description of the year-round dive structures of any beluga population, providing baseline information to allow improved characterization and to monitor how this population may respond to environmental change and increasing anthropogenic stressors.

This paper documents Inuvialuit traditional ecological knowledge of beluga, including ecology and behavior, hunting techniques, and food preparation under changing climatic conditions in Tuktoyaktuk, NT. Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is an important food source for Inuvialuit in the western Canadian Arctic, a region that is experiencing dramatic climate change. Data were collected using semi-directed interviews with 17 Inuvialuit beluga harvesters and participant observation. The research found that Inuvialuit beluga harvesters possess detailed rational knowledge of beluga, particularly regarding hunting techniques and food preparation, both which are guided by a moral code about how to behave with respect to beluga. In terms of beluga ecology and behavior, Inuvialuit knowledge is limited to anecdotal reasoning drawing on generalized observations of beluga and the accounts of others. Inuvialuit are experiencing the effects of climate change, but seem to be coping thus far in the context of beluga harvesting but ongoing change in the region may increase the risks associated with hunting and preparing beluga in the future.Key words: Arctic, climate change, traditional ecological knowledge, Indigenous, co-management.Résumé : Cet article documente les connaissances écologiques traditionnelles des Inuvialuit au sujet des bélugas, y compris l'écologie et le comportement, les techniques de chasse et la préparation alimentaire dans un contexte de changement des conditions climatiques à Tuktoyaktuk, T.N.-O. Les bélugas (Delphinapterus leucas) sont une importante source alimentaire des Inuvialuit dans l'ouest de l'Arctique canadien, une région qui subit des changements climatiques sérieux. Les données ont été recueillies au moyen d'entrevues semi-dirigées avec 17 chasseurs de bélugas Inuvialuit et en observant les participants. Les recherches ont permis de constater que les chasseurs de bélugas Inuvialuit possèdent des connaissances rationnelles détaillées des bélugas, particulièrement quant aux techniques de chasse et de la préparation alimentaire, lesquelles sont régies par un code moral du comportement à adopter en ce qui concerne les bélugas. En matière d'écologie des bélugas et de Pagination not final (cite DOI) / Pagination provisoire (citer le DOI)