Traditional knowledge teamed up with biological science to test the health of fish in Lac de Gras, site of the Diavik Diamond mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada. This was among measures taken since mining began in 2003 to protect fish species that are valued by aboriginal communities as a food source.
The Diavik Environmental Monitoring Advisory Board includes community, government and company representatives. During 2002, the board was instrumental in assisting Diavik to undertake a fish palatability study to provide baseline information regarding the quality of fish, and in particular, any changes to fish health.
Diavik constructed a seasonal camp on the shores of Lac de Gras to enable community members to undertake monitoring programmes. The study involved Aboriginal elders and Diavik scientists and represented the integration of scientific and traditional knowledge.
Community representatives rated the lake trout on appearance before and during cleaning, and on look and taste once cooked. The scientific side of the study measured the general health of several lake trout, as well as weight, length, fecundity, age, stomach content, and texture. The study also employed the latest technology which measures the chemical signature of the meat.
Overall, participants found fish texture to be healthy and of good quality. Some parasites were present in the tissue, but this is common in a lake where nutrient levels are low and fish often consume smaller fish. As for the taste, the group generally found the fare to be "excellent." The scientific results mirrored the baseline data collected by Diavik during its environmental assessment, conducted from 1995 through 1998, and indicated no change in fish health.
Based on the general success of this program, it is now an annual program that has expanded to include water quality and caribou monitoring.
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