A fisheries management plan is now in place for narwhal in northern Hudson Bay.

Federal Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield and Nunavut MP Leona Aglukkaq made the announcement Monday.

The plan is a joint effort between the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc (NTI).

"I think this is a good thing and the management plan — it can help the hunters very well and I think it's a tool to manage the narwhal population in Nunavut," said James Eetoolook, the vice-president of NTI.

Under the plan, Nunavut hunters will have a total allowable harvest of 147 narwhal from the northern Hudson Bay stock.

Those involved say it will promote the sustainable harvest and trade of the whales, and ensure Inuit rights are protected.

Efforts are underway to develop a similar management plan in Nunavik.