WWF s Circumpolar Human-Polar Bear Conflict Reduction and Mitigation Workshop Tromso, Norway February 26 28, 2013 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Report Terry D. DeBruyn, Ph.D. Polar Bear Project Leader U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service T.D. DeBruyn Photo
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Polar Bear Program Overview The Fish and Wildlife Service s mission is to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitat for the continuing benefit of the American people. T.D. DeBruyn Photo
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Polar Bear Project Personnel TERRY D. DEBRUYN, Wildlife Biologist, Polar Bear Project Leader SUSANNE MILLER, Wildlife Biologist, Bear/Human Interactions & Outreach CRAIG PERHAM, Wildlife Biologist, Incidental Take Program CHRISTOPHER PUTNAM, Wildlife Biologist, Incidental Take Program ERIC REGEHR, Wildlife Biologist, Population Research MICHELLE St. MARTIN, Wildlife Biologist, Logistics JAMES WILDER, Wildlife Biologist, ESA & B/H Interactions RYAN WILSON, Wildlife Biologist, Population Research
U.S. Polar Bear Populations World population: ~20,000 25,000 polar bears in 19 subpopulations Aars et al. 2006
STATUS OF ALASKA S SHARED POPULATIONS ALASKA-CHUKOTKA POPULATION: Population size and trend is unknown Ecological indices, (e.g., body condition and reproduction), suggest that the population is maintaining productivity despite significant sea ice loss (Rode et al. in review) SOUTHERN BEAUFORT SEA POPULATION: Current population estimate is approximately 1,500 bears (Regehr et al. 2006); previous estimate 1,800 Longer ice-free periods over the continental shelf correspond with decreased size of cubs and growing bears (Rode et al. 2011) and decreased survival of adult females and cubs (Regehr et al. 2011) More bears are fasting in the spring now than in the 1980s (Cherry et al. 2009)
Agreements Under Which Polar Bears are Managed 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears Marine Mammal Protection Act (co-management) Alaska Nanuuq Commission Cooperative Agreement U.S. / Russia Bilateral Agreement Alaska-Chukotka population The Canada / United States Memorandum of Understanding U.S. Fish and Wildlife / Alaska Department of Fish and Game
International Cooperation on the Conservation of Polar Bears
U.S.-Russia Bilateral Agreement Agreement between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on the Conservation and Management of the Alaska-Chukotka Polar Bear Population Shared population Chukchi/Bering seas Agreement signed in October 2000 Implementing legislation signed January 2007 1 st Commission meeting September 2009: Scientific Working Group 4 th Commission meeting June 2012: Multi-year quota 290 bears allocated evenly; 2:1 M:F sex ratio; U.S.-Russia Conservation Plan Alaska Nanuuq Commission and U.S. FWS working on U.S. Shared Harvest Management Plan
Co-management Alaska Nanuuq Commission Formed in 1994 Represents Alaska Native polar bear interests Co-management partner
Shared Harvest Management Plan Alaska-Chukotka Population Steve Oomittu photo
Canada / United States Memorandum of Understanding T.D. DeBruyn photo
Inuvialuit/Inupiat Agreement Southern Beaufort Sea Population T.D. DeBruyn, U.S. FWS
500 Alaska Polar Bear Harvest 1961 2010 Number of Polar Bears Harvested 400 300 200 100 Sport Hunting Marine Mammal Protection Act 1973 Polar Bear Agreement Southern Beaufort Sea Population Chukchi/Bering Seas Population Inupiat / Inuvialuit Agreement U.S. quota in Southern Beaufort 0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Year T.D. DeBruyn Photo
Polar Bear Harvest Monitoring Hides and skulls must be tagged
Research in the Chukchi Sea 1.Gather data to inform decisions on harvest management under the US-Russia Bilateral Agreement 2. Provide information to aid in mitigation of development in the Chukchi Sea -e.g., Chukchi Sea lease sale area 3. Determine potential responses to rapidly changing sea ice conditions
Research and Monitoring Fall Coastal Surveys in the Southern Beaufort Sea
FLIR Surveys
Scent-trained Dogs
One-mile exclusion zone
Incidental Take Infrequent, unavoidable, or accidental Intentional Take Planned, purposeful, and directed
Partners in program: Local Communities Oil and Gas industry Military Mining industry Academic researchers
Human-Polar Bear Interactions
Human-Bear Interaction Plan Primary Components: Minimize attractants Develop deterrence program Education and outreach
POLAR BEAR DETERRENCE TRAINING MANUAL Modules: Laws Guiding Deterrence Visual, Auditory Deterrence Deterrents Pyrotechnics Direct Contact Deterrents Lethal Action Bear Ecology and Behavior Bear Human Interactions T.D. DeBruyn Photo Deterrence Principles and Practices
Polar Bear-Human Information Management System for The Range States
The Fish and Wildlife Service s mission is to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitat for the continuing benefit of the American people. Questions T.D. DeBruyn Photo Terry D. DeBruyn, Ph.D. Polar Bear Project Leader U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service