Evans Strait

Evans Strait (63°15′N 082°15′W) is a natural waterway through the central Canadian Arctic Archipelago in the territory of Nunavut. It separates Southampton Island's Bell Peninsula (to the north) from Coats Island (to the south).^[1] Appatuuraarjuk (Walrus Island) lies to the east of the strait.^[2]

It is part of the Hudson Strait–Evans Strait–Foxe Channel (HEF) which used to be under the Laurentide ice sheet.^[3] The strait connects Hudson Bay to the Labrador Sea. Its maximum depth is approximately 900 metres.^[3]

The area has been recognised as an signifiicant migration route for endangered marine mammals such as the Western Hudson Bay beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) and the Central-Low Arctic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus). In addition, Evans Strait and Coats Island are subsistance harvesting grounds for local communities.^[4] Due to industrialisation in the region, the strait has had less ice and been ice-free for longer periods, and the number of boats passing through has increased, likely affecting people and wildlife in the region.^{[citation needed]}