This research supports current community-based and DFO research and conservation initiatives within the Belcher Islands (Qikiqtait Area). Coastal sampling in collaboration with the Sanikiluaq community and partnership with the Arctic Eider Society and Hunters' and Trappers Association will continue around the Belcher Islands through zooplankton tows and community benthic dredge to collect invertebrate. The main species of interest includes Icelandic scallop (Chlamys islandica), green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) and Atlantic sea cucumbers (Cucumaria frondosa) that will continue to be collected from spring to fall (see map) providing the opportunity to examine temporal and spatial differences in genetic diversity, carbon source use and trophic position of each species between northern versus southern areas of Qikiqtait. Objectives: 1) Identify sea-ice algae reliance of benthic species, including sea scallops, urchins and sea cucumbers by analyzing highly-branched isoprenoid (HBI). 2) Establish food web baseline using stable isotopes. 3) Compare nearshore-offshore in their foraging ecology using biotracers.