IntroductionThe community of Pond Inlet has been redeveloping their Arctic Char fisheries and the local fishers have put in great efforts to collect biological samples in accordance with their exploratory fishing licence. Data the fishers’ have collected will be used in a stock assessment analysis to provide managers, the HTO and the community with a stock status update. To support the fishers’ data and provide a complete and well executed stock assessment analysis, fishery independent baseline biological data is required. This research aims to work with the community of Pond Inlet to collect baseline biological data from two (Tuniit and Satuut) Arctic Char stocks in the Pond Inlet Area, as well as, local knowledge and fishing practices on these stocks. Additionally these harvesting locations are mixed stock fisheries (more than one natal river represented) so understanding what river each fish was hatched in is necessary.Collectively this information will fill knowledge gaps on Pond Inlet Arctic Char fisheries and provide managers more information to assist future decisions.ObjectivesThe objectives for the 2026 season are:1) Meet with the Mittimatalik Hunters & Trappers Organization regarding ongoing stock assessment research in the Pond Inlet area.2) Collect biological, CPUE, and environmental data for two stocks of Arctic Char at Tuniit and Satuut.3) Continue gathering local knowledge on Arctic Char fisheries in the Pond Inlet Area (interviews and consults from past research will continue to be used as well).MethodsA meeting is to occur with the Mittimatalik Hunters & Trappers Organization and also with the field crew at the start of the project. Topics discussed will be the proposed study sites for this field season, future study interests, and expectations from all parties. Stock assessment research will occur at Tuniit and Satuut. A field crew consisting of two DFO representatives and two Pond Inlet residents will set gill nets of various mesh sizes ranging from 1.5 to 5.5 inch in known Char fishing locations. All fish will be sampled for length, weight, sex, maturity, gonad (reproductive organs) weight, ageing structures, muscle tissue, and fin tissue. Gonads of all mature females will collected and frozen for determination of fecundity (number of eggs). All stomachs appearing to contain food will be collected and frozen for potential future diet analysis. Carcases will be returned to the community for distribution and consumption. The results will be reported back to the Mittimatilik Hunters and Trappers Organization via a plain language report in December 2026 and an in person meeting in May 2027.