Melting sea ice at Pond Inlet, Nunavut, Canada
Sea ice is an important habitat for, among other, polar bears and seals. For the local Inuit seal hunting (mainly on abundant ring seals) is an important part of life. In Pond Inlet (Inuktitut: Mittimatalik), access to sea ice plays also an important role for wildlife-viewing tourism. The economy of Pond Inlet is largely service based with government as the largest employer. Small businesses that serve the community, tourism, and art work are also found. As a tourist destination, Pond Inlet is considered one of Canada's "jewels of the North". It is one of the most picturesque communities with mountain ranges visible from all directions. Icebergs are most often accessible from the community within walking distance or a short snowmobile ride in winter. Pond Inlet boasts a nearby floe edge, several dozen glaciers, explorable ice caves, and many grand and picturesque inlets. Barren-ground Caribou, Ringed Seal, Narwhals and Polar Bears are just some of the wildlife that can be encountered while traveling out on the land. Nunavut also boasts one of Canada's newest national parks named after the glaciers that can be seen north of the community on Bylot Island; Sirmilik National Park.
Year: 2013
From album: Canada and the Arctic Council
Photographer: Peter Prokosch