The Inuit and their predecessors in the region, the Paleo-Eskimos, have relied for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years on the sound's abundant natural wealth for food, clothing and shelter.

Today, residents of the three Nunavut communities of Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, and Resolute continue this tradition, depending on its waters for their economic and cultural well-being.

Many narwhal, beluga, bowhead whale, ringed, bearded and harp seals, walrus, polar bears, thick-billed murres, black-legged kittiwakes, northern fulmars, black guillemots, Arctic terns, ivory gulls and snow geese all occupy the area.

Community opposition led to the creation of an Environmental Assessment Review Panel that recommended in 1978 that Norlands proposal not be allowed until they could explain how exploratory drilling was compatible with current and future uses in Lancaster Sound.

[4] On December 8, 2009, Canadian Environment Minister, Jim Prentice announced a $5 million feasibility study for a new National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) in Lancaster Sound.

[8] In a major ruling on August 8, 2010, a Nunavut court sided with the Inuit and stopped the planned seismic testing citing the risks to marine animals and cultural heritage.

This report explains what an NMCA is, the history surrounding interests in Lancaster Sound, the importance of where boundaries are suggested, and discussion on the realities of Inuit cooperative management in Nunavut.

This included the interim protection announced in 2017 for the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area, Nunavut in cooperation with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.