As we are approaching the high season for many hunting and fishing species, it is appropriate to remind you of the following:
Common eider and king eider in Qaanaaq (Zone 1): Common eider and king eider may be hunted in Zone 1 during the period: September 15 – June 15; see the attached map for zone divisions.
Collection of eider eggs: Individuals holding a valid hunting license may, during the collection period of April 1 – June 15, collect a maximum of 2 eggs per nest of common eider and king eider for personal consumption. A common eider nest containing unhatched eggs must not be emptied of all eggs during the egg collection season.
In the Qaanaaq area (Zone 1), individuals with a hunting license may collect eggs for ‘manniusiorneq’ (traditional egg gathering) for personal consumption from common eider and king eider during the period June 15 through June 25.
In the Qaanaaq area (Zone 1), the Tasiilaq area (Zone 4), and the Ittoqqortoormiit area (Zone 5), traditional collection of little auk (dovekie) eggs is permitted throughout the entire egg-laying season.
Throughout Greenland, individuals with a hunting license are permitted to collect eggs of the northern fulmar, common raven, glaucous gull, and great black-backed gull for personal consumption during the period April 1 – June 15.
When collecting eggs, it is not permitted to use ropes, ladders, climbing ropes, or any other climbing equipment.
In the Tasiilaq and Ittoqqortoormiit areas (Zone 4 and Zone 5): The hunting season for pink-footed goose and barnacle goose is from September 1 to May 31.
In Upernavik and Uummannaq (Zone 2): The hunting season for rock ptarmigan is from September 1 to May 31.
Birds require peace during the breeding season: During the period of April 15 – September 15, it is prohibited to shoot or cause disturbances, including all sailing at speeds exceeding 3 knots, within a distance from a bird colony of:
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1,000 meters, if the colony is inhabited by thick-billed murre, common murre, razorbill, Atlantic puffin, little auk, black-legged kittiwake, northern fulmar, or great cormorant, and
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200 meters, if the colony is inhabited by other species.
Sailing under 3 knots is permitted, provided it does not cause unnecessary disturbance.
Overflight by fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters is prohibited within a vertical and horizontal distance of 3,000 meters from a colony of thick-billed murres, and within a vertical and horizontal distance of 500 meters from all other bird colonies.
The use of drones is prohibited within a vertical and horizontal distance of 100 meters from a bird colony.
All landings and general traffic are prohibited from May 1 to August 31 in bird protection areas, as well as within a distance of 500 meters from these areas. Map segments can be found at Nalunaarutit.gl.
Bycatch Birds, such as common eiders, caught as bycatch in gillnet and longline fishing (e.g., during lumpfish fishing) may only be used for personal consumption.
Captured birds, including those caught as bycatch in fishing, must be reported annually to the Ministry of Fisheries, Hunting, Agriculture, and Self-Sufficiency. Reporting can be done either via the self-service portal at www.sullissivik.gl or by completing and submitting the catch registration form provided with PINIARNEQ.
Collected eggs must be reported annually to the Ministry of Fisheries, Hunting, Agriculture, and Self-Sufficiency either via the self-service portal at www.sullissivik.gl or by completing and submitting the catch registration form provided with PINIARNEQ.
For further information, please contact Head of Department Amalie A. Jessen, Ministry of Fisheries, Hunting, Agriculture, and Self-Sufficiency at apn@nanoq.gl or tel. +299 34 53 04.