NR 08-22 BEA ENG Polar Bear Announcement.doc
(May 14, 2008 – Rankin Inlet, Nunavut) Nunavut Tunngavik Vice-President of Finance Raymond Ningeocheak said today he is disappointed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to list polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The announcement was made this afternoon in Washington, D.C. by US Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthrone.
The decision is controversial because it defies actual population estimates and is instead based on predictions of global warming and how melting sea ice will affect the polar bear population in 45 years. Ningeocheak said the decision will have negative economic impacts on Inuit because it means American sport hunters will no longer be able to return home with their bear skins. This will likely result in a severe decrease in the number of Americans who travel to Nunavut to hunt polar bears. The sport hunt in Nunavut accounts for about $2.5 million annually, about $1.7 million of which remains in the territory.
Some American groups are using the polar bear to advance their own agenda. Their irresponsible decision will economically hurt Inuit sport guides and communities. I am very disappointed in this decision today, said Ningeocheak.
Ningeocheak said the American ruling is not in keeping with population numbers presented by Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Inuit traditional knowledge) or scientific data. Science estimates the total population of polar bears in Nunavut is at a record high of approximately 16,000 animals. This is a 100 per cent increase from the early 1970s when the numbers were estimated at 6,000-8,000. Based on this scientific data, Canada’s Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife recently decided not to list polar bears as threatened.
Inuit are the main stewards of polar bear conservation in Nunavut. For generations, Inuit have responsibly managed polar bears and the population clearly indicates that, said Ningeocheak.
Ningeocheak said Inuit are aware that if any population is too numerous for its environment, there will be consequences such as fewer resources, disease, and observations of cannibalism. Despite the detrimental effects of the decision, Inuit will continue to work with co-management partners to manage and maintain healthy polar bear populations.
For further information:
www.tunngavik.com
