NR 07-21 PBL ENG Polar Bear Listing.doc

(October 20, 2007 – Rankin Inlet, Nunavut) The Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. 2nd Vice-President Raymond Ningeocheak says if the United States list the Polar Bears as threatened under its Endangered Species Act, it would be more harmful to the Polar Bears, as it would undermine the co-management system that’s already in place in Nunavut.

The Board of Directors passed a resolution adamantly opposing the United States’ proposed listing of polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The resolution also demanded the American government use Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in an assessment of polar bears to determine their current standing.

Inuit have been the guardians of wildlife for millennia, we have even recommended reducing the polar bear quotas below levels recommended by government biologists. Ningeocheak said.

Ningeocheak said the application is based on a forecast, and political propaganda so the United States can acknowledge global warming.

We strongly believe that the listing Polar Bears as threatened under the ESA would in fact be harmful to the Polar Bear populations as it would undermine the effective co-management system that’ already in place.

Ningeocheak also says the United States is working with in-correct information about polar bear populations, and that it has failed to incorporate Inuit traditional knowledge, or Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in its assessment. This detailed local knowledge is critical for maintaining the integrity and continued functioning of a sound adaptive management scheme. However, this knowledge has not been considered. Ningeocheak added.

Furhtermore, within the next two years a number of International Polar Year (IPY) research projects will begin reporting their research findings. These research programs focus on climate-driven changes affecting northern eco-systems some of which focus specifically on polar bears, critical sea ice habitat and their prey species.

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