Canada, Nunavut and Greenland Sign Polar Bear Pact
Environment News Service, 30 October 2009
KANGERLUUSUAQ, GREENLAND: A polar bear conservation and management memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Greenland, Canada and Nunavut was signed at Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Aiming at ensuring the protection of shared polar bear populations, the MOU proposes the creation of a Canada-Greenland joint commission that would recommend a combined total allowable harvest, and a fair division of the shared harvest. The joint commission would also be used to coordinate science, traditional knowledge, management and outreach activities. “We find it important that co-management agreements are developed between nations sharing polar bear population to ensure that combined harvests do not exceed sustainable levels,” Greenland’s Minister of Fisheries, Hunting and Agriculture Ane Hansen said. “It is also important that traditional knowledge is used together with science in this process.” Read the ENS article … Read an Environment Canada news release …
