Normally the ice comes to northwestern Greenland in September and stays until June. But during the past 15 few years, the ice has been thick and the hunting good for only three or four weeks. The ice shelf gives huntersaccess to the walruses, seals, and whales they hunt. Without it, hunting becomes nearly impossible. In one recent winter, Qaanaaq’s hunters 20 found themselves without sufficient food to feed
their starving dogs. The hunters asked for help, and the government responded with money while fishingcorporations assisted by sending fish by airplane.