Aerial SurveyMeans of collecting aerial images from flying aircraft.
Anadromous fishFish that hatch in freshwater and migrate to the ocean to live out the rest of their lives before coming back to spawn.
AquacultureCaptive wildlife in an aquatic environment for harvesting purposes; i.e., salmon farms.
Archaeological SiteAny area where remains of past human activities may be found. This can include communities, quarries, cemeteries, etc.
Areas of InterestAn area where zoning is used to consider principles of conservation and good land management practices. This is used if an area is important for human, wildlife, or environmental purposes.
Ballast WaterSeawater taken into the bilge and then pumped back out to remove accumulated water and contaminants.
BermThe dry area of the beach that is above sea level at high tide, created by waves depositing material such as rocks or sand.
BilgeThe rounded portion of a ship's hull that collects water. This can contain oil, urine, chemicals, and other contaminants.
BioaccumulationWhen marine animals store toxins, such as methyl mercury, in their tissues.
BiomagnificationTerm to describe when animals eat other animals with toxins stored in their tissue and the amount magnifies as it moves up the food chain. Animals that are high in the food chain, such as whales or char, would have the highest concentrations of these toxins.
BloomMay refer to algal bloom or jelly fish bloom, when large numbers of organisms take over a marine environment. This is a sign that the average ocean temperature is higher than normal and there may be complications that result from this such as fish eggs not hatching or suffocation of sea life.
Boat AnchorageAlso known as an anchorage area. It is an area that is ideal for anchoring a boat in regard to water depth, distance between boats and their size, and how vulnerable it is (high winds, sandbanks, rocks, etc.).
Borehole thermal energy storageA thermal energy storage system that stores heat in the ground for later use.
Burial SiteLand that was used for placing human remains into the ground.
CalvingWhen icebergs break off from glaciers.
Carbon CyclingInvolves the uptake of carbon by algae and plants, then returned to the ocean through respiration or the breakdown of organic material.
Carbon SinkA reservoir, such as the ocean, that absorbs and stores more carbon than it releases.
Climate ChangeA term that refers to the change in long-term average of weather.
Coastal ErosionThe wearing away of coastal land due to wind and seawater movement.
Coastal ResourcesAll resources that form between terrestrial and marine ecosystems and their services and have environmental and socio-economic value.
Conditional Use AreaAreas with conformity to requirements such as seasonal prohibitions on certain land uses or setback requirements around important features.
Contaminated SiteWhere hazardous substances, brought on by humans, have reached a level in which they risk the health of the people or the environment around it.
Cultural SiteImportant areas of cultural value; i.e., archaeological, historical, burial, or religious sites.
EasementsThese grant rights and privileges over the owner's land for the purpose of protecting, restoring, or enhancing areas that may be important to the environment.
Ecological and Biological Significant Area (EBSA)Special areas in the ocean that strongly support the healthy functioning of the environment.
Ecological IntegrityA condition in which the ecosystem, including the living and non-living components, remain intact and persistent.
Economic DevelopmentThe process in which communities grow in regard to value of goods and services, as well as the overall quality of life of the people that live in it.
Epifaunal CommunityOrganisms that live on the ocean floor surface, such as starfish, crabs, sponges, and mussels.
EstuaryEstuaries, and their surrounding wetlands, are bodies of water usually found where rivers meet the sea. Estuaries are home to unique plant and animal communities that have adapted to brackish watera mixture of fresh water draining from the land and salty seawater.
Fast IceIce that forms between pack ice and the shoreline during the winter season and melts during the summer season.
Fibre OpticBundles of thin, flexible, glass fibres that transmit information to bring high-speed internet to communities.
Food WebThe many interconnecting points of multiple food chains to describe the transfer of food from producers, like phytoplankton, to consumers, like whales or humans.
Freshwater-Marine Transition ZoneAreas where freshwater mixes with seawater, such as estuaries and coastal wetlands.
Geographical areasAn area defined by physical characteristics.
GlacierLarge bodies of ice formed on land.
GoalsObjectives to achieve. They can be open-minded and reflect benefits for the environment, economy, or social issues.
Greenhouse EffectA term to explain the Earth's ability to trap heat from the sun in gases, such as water, carbon dioxide, and methane.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)A device that uses radio waves to image the subsurface. This allows us to detect elements or empty space underground.
Gulf StreamA current that moves warm water from equatorial regions to Northern Canada.
Harvesting CyclesReduction of wildlife, i.e., fish, marine mammals, caribou, waterfowl, shellfish, during particular seasons, by killing or taking from the environment.
HeadlandSteep-faced irregularities of the coast that extend out to the ocean. These areas tend to be affected by erosion.
High water markThe highest point the water level reaches during high tide. This also marks the border of which Marine Use Planning covers.
HydropowerPower generated from the kinetic energy of flowing water, by using a dam or other structures to alter the natural flow of a river.
Ice FloePancake ice combined.
IcebergSea ice originating from glaciers.
Intertidal ZoneThe area between the high and low water mark, which is covered by both Marine and Land Use Planning
Invasive SpeciesNon-native species that do so well in their new habitat, they end up causing harm.
LandApplies to land water and resources, including wildlife (see NILCA).
Land-Use Planning PoliciesWhereas objectives define "what" outcome is intended for particular resource values, planning policies describe "how" the desired outcome will be achieved. There should be a direct relationship between objectives and planning policies. Depending on the circumstances, these might describe:
Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR)Remote sensing method that uses light from laser pulses to measure different distances to the Earth to give a three-dimensional image.
Limited Use AreaAreas with year-round prohibition of on or more types of land use. They may also include conformity requirements, such as seasonal prohibitions on certain land uses or setback requirements around important features.
Low water markThe lowest point the water level reaches at low tide. This also marks the border of which Land Use Planning covers.
Low-Impact Shipping CorridorsNetworks of shipping corridors created by the Government of Canada to encourage traffic to use routes that will be of low impact to the environment and the surrounding communities.
Marine (region)The Nunavik Marine Region, which, for greater certainty, includes the areas of equal use and occupancy and the overlap area of the Agreement Relating to the Cree/Inuit Offshore Overlapping Interests Area, is that offshore area adjacent to, but not in, Québec described in Schedule 3-2 and shown on the map contained in Schedule 3-3 (NILCA).
Marine MammalMammals that rely on the marine environment such as whales, dolphins, seals, and polar bears.
Marine Mammal Management - BiopsyWhen tissue is removed from the animal and examined for DNA, toxins, and overall health indicators.
Marine Protected Area (MPA)Areas protected under the Oceans Act to protect marine species and resources, the environment, and ecosystems (Oceans Act - S.C.1996, c.31 (section 35)).
Methyl MercuryMercury's organic compound that is toxic to most living things.
MicroplasticTiny plastic particles that come from large plastic pieces that were broken down.
Mixed Use AreaAreas with potential to support a variety of land uses and are characterized by no prohibited uses or conformity requirements. In Mixed Use areas, all uses are considered to conform to the Plan.
Multibeam Echo SounderDevice used to map the features of the ocean floor using sound.
Native or Indigenous SpeciesOrganism that is normally found in a region.
Non-NativeOrganism not normally found in a region. They are introduced by human activities, which can be intentional (e.g., species introduced to control a pest species), accidental (e.g., shipping and ballast water exchange), or environmental (e.g., changes in climate leading to wildlife movements).
Nunavik Inuit Settlement Area (NISA)As shown in Schedule 3-1 of the NILCA is comprised of the following components. A) the Nunavik Marine Region and B) the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area portion of the Nunavik Inuit/Labrador Inuit overlap area.
Nunavik Marine Region (NMR)Includes the areas of equal use and occupancy and the overlap area of the Agreement Relating to the Cree/Inuit.
Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC)Organization responsible for development, implementation, and monitoring of land use pans that guide and direct resource use and development in the Nunavut Settlement Area.
ObjectivesObjectives describe a desired future state for a particular resource or resource use. They are more specific and concrete than goals. They act as steppingstones for achieving broader goals.
Ocean AcidificationChemical reactions that occur when carbon dioxide is absorbed by seater. This reduces the pH levels and can cause many parts of the ocean to become undersaturated with important building blocks for organisms like those with shells.
Ocean Conveyor BeltThe circulation of currents across the planet as the seawater warms and cools, rising and falling as it travels from continent to continent.
Oceans ManagementActivities carried out by the federal government to manage Canada's marine estate.
Offshore Overlapping Interests AreaOffshore area adjacent to, but not in, Quebec described in Schedule 3-2 (NILCA) and shown on the map contained in Schedule 3-3.
Oil and Gas Exploration and ProductionArea focused on exploring, gathering data, developing land, drilling, production, harvesting, refining, distributing, or transporting oil or gas.
Oxythermal HabitatWarm environment that is rich in oxygen.
Pack IceFloating ice that comes together to form a single mass of ice.
Pancake IceEarly stages of sea ice formation, when the slush begins to coalesce into disk-shaped pieces of ice.
PeatPeat is the surface organic layer of a soil that consists of partially decomposed organic matter, derived mostly from plant material.
PeatlandPeatlands are wetlands in which conditions prevent plant material from fully decomposing. More organic matter is being created than is decomposing, which creates an accumulation of peat.
Periodic ReviewComplete review of an approved plan including its regional and sub-regional components. Such a review is completed periodically to ensure the plan is current.
PermafrostPermanently frozen soil, sand, or gravel.
Plan AmendmentChanges to plans after approval. These will require review by NMRPC to accept, reject, or amend, then send to Federal and Territorial Ministers for review and approval.
Planning PartnerA person or group interested in participating in the land-use planning process, impact review process, or both. For added clarity this includes:
Polar IceThick ice that forms near the North Pole.
PolynyaOpening of seawater surrounded by ice. More common when the ice melts during the summer season.
Protected AreasAny of the following areas, other than a Marine Protected Area, when established in the NMR under legislation (NILCA Article 11);
QuarryAn artificial hole that was dug in the ground. This is usually done to dig out materials such as rocks or minerals.
Sacred AreaA place that is important because of its traditional, cultural, or spiritual use.
Saltwater intrusionWhen Saltwater starts permeating through the ground and getting to freshwater systems.
SelenoneineOrganic, selenium-containing compound that is found in high concentrations in beluga skin and blubber.
Shipping CorridorsNarrow established routes to allow ships to access destinations; i.e., going through the Northwest Passage.
Shipping LanesVessel traffic management, where everyone must stay in their lane and there is incoming traffic and outgoing traffic.
Special ManagementA combination of terms and zoning contained in a land-use plan that guide and direct resource management in a specific geographic area to achieve certain goals and objectives.
Terrestrial MammalMammals whose main habitat is on land.
Thaw Lake CatchmentAlso known as Thermokarst lakes and ponds. They are pools of water formed from thawing permafrost.
TransitPeople or things in the process of being transported.
Transportation InfrastructureStructures that support transportation such as roads, pipelines, railways, train stations, or truck stops.
TraplineAny area that a group has rights to trap animals in which they harvest for fur.
TrichinellaA parasite that causes trichinellosis. This happens when raw or undercooked meat is consumed and the meat is infected with the parasite. Symptoms involve gastrointestinal issues as well as muscle pain and fever.
TundraTreeless plains in Arctic regions, where the ground is frozen and dry.
UpwellingWhen deep, cold, water that is full of nutrients is brought to the surface because of air and ocean currents moving water away from the shore.
Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs)Important elements of the physical, biological, or socio-economic environment. This includes the air, water, soil, vegetation, wildlife, land, etc.
Valued Socio-Economic Components (VSECs)Important elements of socio-economic environment.
VegetationA term used to describe plant cover in an area.
WatershedThe area of land that drains all water to a common outlet. It can be all of the surface water and underlying groundwater of a particular outflow point.
WildlifeAll terrestrial, aquatic, avian, and amphibian animals.