This project will enable the collection of coastal environmental baseline data, specifically that related to mercury in local biota, to aid in characterizing the current state of the ecosystem in Frobisher Bay. This project is needed as it is expected to strengthen Canada’s capacity for ocean science and contribute to oceans scientific data collection in coastal areas of existing or potential commercial and subsistence interest. This project will also build technical and scientific capacity of key parties including community members.Mercury (Hg) contamination is a continuing threat to the health of Arctic ecosystems and inhabitants who rely on country foods. Measuring THg, MeHg, and food web biomarkers in anadromous Arctic Char, key prey, as well as other components of the lower food web will identify pathways of dietary Hg exposure to anadromous Arctic Char. Further insight will be gained by comparing the feeding. Finally, descriptions of fisheries baseline conditions will provide standards against which future changes may be assessed.This is proposed as a 3 year project, with field studies conducted during the open water season (August 1st to September 15th) of 2019, 2020 and 2021 in the intertidal and near shore areas in Frobisher Bay. This project will collect fish using gill nets and benthic invertebrates through kick sampling. Specifically we will measure concentrations of total mercury (THg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) in benthic invertebrates (fish food), Arctic cod, and other forage fish species, and anadromous Arctic Char. There are no impacts to the environment expected; targeted fish species will be collected using best scientific practices and non-targeted fishes will be handled with gloves and quickly released.Data will be managed through an external data provider agreed upon by both Project Authority and DFO, and data will be made accessible via publications, reports and resulting datasets will made available in an external open data forum.Residents from Iqaluit, Nunavut (community members), will be requested for field collections and sampling methods will also be based on consultation with the community to adequately incorporate the interests and views of both those parties and the Project Authority. The University of Waterloo MSc student will be available to assist in sample collections, thereby facilitating reciprocal knowledge transfer between the student and the community. The University of Waterloo MSc student will learn fishing techniques, history, and condition of the subsistence fishery from community members. Community members will gain experience in sampling for trophic biomarkers and contaminants. Curriculum materials and translated handouts (developed by Swanson for previous projects) regarding contaminants in the Arctic and community-driven contaminant survey will also be made available. For workshops, meetings, and training opportunities, the a plain-language (with translated posters) summary of research progress will be developed for distribution in Iqaluit. The results of the studies will be shared annually following field data collection; sampling plans will be shared with the community members and stakeholders prior to open water season.