The PBSG is releasing resolutions passed at the Group’s 20th Working Meeting (held in Seattle, WA in June 2024) in advance of the publication of the Proceedings, which are expected sometime in late 2025. The fourth resolution is in reference to the international trade of polar bears.
The PBSG discussed the current status of the polar bear as a species currently listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), which allows products of polar bears to be exported so long as the CITES Scientific Authority of the exporting country issues a Non-Detriment Finding report (NDF). An NDF means that the harvest is determined to be sustainable and that international trade does not have a detrimental impact on the status of the species.
Beginning with the 2019/2020 harvest season, the Territory of Nunavut, Canada changed its polar bear harvest management from a 2:1 male-to female sex ratio to allow for an up to a 1:1 sex ratio, without revising harvest quotas within its jurisdiction. This change in Nunavut harvest management has increased the potential allowable take of female polar bears by up to 50%, which can potentially have negative effects on subpopulation status. The PBSG passed a separate resolution at its Working Meeting on the harvest management change in Nunavut.
The PBSG expressed concern that, in conjunction with the effects of climate warming, the management change in Nunavut could contribute to polar bears meeting biological and trade criteria under CITES that would qualify the species to be moved to Appendix I, thereby prohibiting international legal trade in polar bear products. Such a prohibition could have negative socioeconomic impacts on communities that harvest polar bears.
A PDF of the resolution is available here: Trade resolution
