January 16, 2002 The Honorable Gale Norton Secretary of the Interior 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240 Dear Madame Secretary:
Re: Treaty on Alaska-Chukotka Polar Bear Population
After carefully scrutinizing the agreement on conservation and management of the Alaska-Chukotka polar bear population, the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) is firmly convinced that ratification of the treaty will lead to substantial improvement of polar bear conservation in this region of the arctic.
The IBA is a professional organization committed to conservation and restoration of the world’s bears through science-based research, population and habitat management and education. Our membership of over 700 bear specialists from over 50 countries conduct research studies and conservation management on all 8 bear species that exist today. In addition, IBA maintains close association with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC) by appointing the chairperson's of the IUCN/SSC Bear Specialist Group. Our organization can speak with authority on issues concerning management and research needs of the world’s bear species.
Ratification of the treaty will be important because it provides for (1) biologically sound measures to assure perpetuation of the polar bear population, (2) appropriate data collection to monitor the population and (3) management of harvest on a sustained yield basis. Principles that have been effective for management of bear species include providing protection from harvest of cubs or females accompanied by cubs, providing protection from harvest at den sites, and coordination of habitat protection measures. These are included in this treaty, but are not presently in place. Similarly, a commitment to collect data necessary for calculation of population size and sustainability in the area is crucial to their effective management. In short, the treaty design will go far towards assuring effective conservation in the area and include stipulations for management not presently in place.
As important to effective conservation of polar bears in this area is the incorporation of a proven framework for involvement by native participants in harvest management of the marine resources upon which they depend. The Alaska Nanuuq Commission that was founded to monitor and apportion harvest of polar bears in Alaska is modeled after other very successful commissions that are involved in establishing guidelines for harvest whales and walruses. These commissions have a proven track record for effective and widely accepted conservation and management of marine mammal resources.
Again, we strongly urge ratification of this agreement as sound conservation policy for the polar bear population of the Chukchi and Bering Seas.
Sincerely,
Harry V. Reynolds, President
International Association for Bear Research and Management |
