Have someone throw t something noisy in the sea that causes the narwhal to change course? Isak Johannessen (N) decided to raise that question in Inatsisartut after he had spoken with North Greenlandic prisoners.
The question does not elaborate on which objects are involved. But some fishermen suspect that deployed underwater equipment for research use has affected whales in Melville Bay in Northwest Greenland. It was previously mentioned in Sermitsiaq.
Melville Bay is a historically important area for fishermen from the Savissivik and Upernavik areas, among others. But fewer whales have been recorded in recent years.
Naalakkersuisoq for fishing and catching Peter Borg (D) cannot confirm the mentioned rumors about noisy objects. He writes in his reply to Isak Johannessen:
- The Department of Nature and Environment is not aware that disturbing noisy objects have been thrown out, which could be a nuisance to the narwhals and cause them to flee away in the area around Melville Bay.
Another explanation
For the answer, a statement has been obtained from Pinngortital reef, Greenland Nature Institute (GN). According to the statement, it is "highly unlikely" that the missing whales in Melville Bay are due to noise from underwater equipment scaring them elsewhere:
- GN states that it is more likely that the absence of narwhals in 2025 is due to the fact that there were fewer narwhals than in previous years. (...) The reason for the decline must be seen in the light of the fact that the catch of narwhals in Melville Bay has for several years been significantly higher than the advice for a sustainable catch level.
The department confirms that several prisoners have approached with similar inquiries. But no exemptions have been granted for any scientific equipment that could potentially disturb whales, writes the department.
Peter Borg's answer to Isak Johannessen also confirms that it is illegal according to the Marine Environment Act to place things in the water that pollute. This also applies to noise pollution. Witnesses to pollution of the sea should contact the authorities.
