Proposals to expand the Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba could bring an increase in shipping traffic and commercial activity — and some experts suggest that could affect the behaviour of the whales that are not only a major draw in the area's nearly $100-million tourism industry, but an important food source for some in the North.

"Living up north is so expensive, the food we buy is so expensive — that's why we need to hunt to survive up north."

(Johnny Mamgark, an Inuk [who] grew up in Arviat, Nunavut) is worried more shipping and marine traffic around the Port of Churchill would disrupt the beluga whale population in the area where his family and ancestors have hunted them for centuries.