Polar Bear Range States - Circumpolar Action Plan

Implementation and modifications of the 2015-2025 Circumpolar Action Plan.

Overview of the CAP implementation and revisions after the Mid term review in 2020
(Click on the diagram to open the overview for all Actions. Links to Implementation Plans and Actions is provided in the document)

The horizontal dotted lines indicate the fate of Actions from the original CAP (2015-2020) in the revised CAP (2020-2025) based on reccomendations in the Mid Term Review report from 2020.

List of Actions in the original 2015-2025 CAP not included in the revised CAP in 2020*:
The Actions not included in the revised CAP were completed, considered more suitable for implementing at domestic or bilateral level, or reccomended to be postponed until beyond 2025.

Adaptive management

Document and protect essential habitat:

Action 4 - Disseminate essential polar bear habitat information broadly to Arctic communities and industries. Work with communities and industries to apply the appropriate habitat protection measures so that anthropogenic development and expansion do not adversely affect habitat
Action 5 - Conduct research into application of the concept of carrying capacity of polar bear subpopulations to polar bear management

Consider the impact of diet changes:

Action 6 - Identify and monitor changes in the availability and use of prey species and other food sources when making management decisions

Consider the current and future impacts of disease and parasite:

Action 8 - Ensure that information on the impacts of disease and parasites in bears is considered when making management decision
Action 9 - Communicate disease findings and predicted disease prevalence information, as well as provide guidelines for consumption of polar bear meat by people and sled dogs, as appropriate

Best Management Practices

Action 10 - Identify additional BMPs that need to be developed, determine who is best positioned to develop them and support this action as appropriate
Action 11 - Examine the efficacy of BMPs as they relate to polar bear conservation and revise as appropriate

Mineral and energy resource exploration and development:

Action 14 - Work with appropriate authorities to develop the necessary emergency response plans
Action 15 - Provide guidance to the spill response authorities for the handling of bearsthat have come into contact with oil
Action 16 - Compile, and prepare as necessary, international, national, and local BMPs for mineral and energy exploration and development

Shipping:

Action 21 - Examine shipping routes in essential habitat and adjacent areas, and assess the threat posed by expected activities over the next 10 years, and identify appropriate responses, as required

Monitoring and Research

Climate Change Research:

Action 24 - Validate models based on empirical data and use them to identify high-priority information needs
Action 25 - Monitor and quantify changes in sea ice habitat for polar bears using satellite observations or other associated data

Obtain information on all Polar Bear Subpopulations:

Action 26 - Develop subpopulation-specific research plans, which include a priori study design considerations, based on clearly stated objectives and applied conservation needs and in light of limited resources for research and variation in the ecological and management status of the 19 polar bear subpopulations
Action 28 - Coordinate joint research studies of shared subpopulations and of adjacent subpopulations with significant movement of animals
Action 31 - Improve methods to quantify and mitigate potential bias in estimates of population status and trend
Action 32 - Improve methods to use all available information to address management questions

Prey abundance and Other Food Sources:

Action 36 - Evaluate the relationships between sea ice, prey abundance and distribution, and polar bear vital rates
Action 37 - Monitor abundance, availability and types of polar bear prey and analyze data for seasonal and regional characteristics and trends
Action 38 - Examine the importance of other food sources to the polar bear diet today and those anticipated over the next 10 years
Action 39 - Monitor the distribution and abundance of ringed seal over time and space
Action 40 - Monitor polar bear diets and nutritional status over time and space
Action 41 - Design studies to reassess areas with existing data for comparative purposes and to assess, at intervals, the effect of climate warming, changes in sea ice, and changes in oceanography that influence the prey species of polar bears

Contaminants and Pollution Research:

Action 43 - Examine the impact of contaminants and pollution on polar bear life history characteristics
Action 44 - Where appropriate, monitor contaminants and pollution to determine temporal and spatial trends, modes of transmission etc
Action 45 - Investigate how contaminants interact in order to establish cause-and-effect relationships and assess the hazards from exposure to multiple contaminants
Action 46 - Periodically monitor for the presence of new contaminants/pollutants (i.e., those not previously detected in polar bear samples)

Disease Research:

Action 47- Compile the current state of knowledge of how parasites and diseases affect polar bears
Action 48 - Establish sampling methodologies and common protocols to screen for relevant diseases/parasites, and monitor changes over time (recommended sampling period is every 10 years)
Action 49 - Develop baseline occurrence estimates of identified diseases/parasites in each of the 19 subpopulations
Action 50 - Investigate the relationships between disease occurrence and changes to sea ice, feeding ecology, nutritional stress, contaminant exposure, etc.
Action 51 - Measure the impact of diseases/parasites on polar bears at the individual and population level
Action 52 - Establish reference intervals for key biomarkers to monitor individual and population health

Communication and Outreach

Website:

Action 53 - Establish and maintain a Range States’ website to disseminate information - Partially modified to Action CCC-A4
Action 54 - Produce biennial progress reports for release to the public (starting in 2017)

Targeted Outreach:

Action - 55 - Develop and implement a communications plan that includes regular information updates about the outcomes of this Plan

Educational Materials:

Action - 57 - Develop educational material on polar bear biology and status, harvest management regimes, levels and control of international trade under the CITES and other topics of interest for use in international forums

Performance Measurement:

Action 62 - After the full 10-year period, a final report of results will be made, including an evaluation of the Plan, which will determine the need for renewal of the Plan
Action 64 - Explore and develop options for making the operations of the Range States more standardized and/or formal. A working group will be created to develop options for consideration by the Range States in 2017. Options should include a full range from formally adopting rules of procedure and protocols to consideration of a Secretariat, and associated costs and funding options to implement the CAP
Action 65 - IUCN/SSC PBSG to consider all the science-related actions in the CAP and to prioritize them into two and ten year actions with a report back to the Range States for their consideration. The report will include possible funding sources and applications will have been made, where appropriate.

* The categorization of the Actions follow the categories used in the original CAP

(Source: Table of CAP Actions in original CAP (Annex III) (2015), Mid-Term Review report (2020); MTR report Annex_4_Fate_of_Previous_Actions and MTR report Annex_5_Rank_and_timing_of_actions) (See also lists of Actions below).

2015-2025 Circumpolar Action Plan - Table of Actions (original CAP from 2015)
(List of Actions in the original CAP from 2015 (Annex III). This list was applied in the 2015-2017 and 2018-2020 Implemenation Plans)
(click on the table to view the document in a pop-up window)

Revised Circumpolar Action Plan - Table of Actions (revised CAP from 2020)
(Mid Term Review report, Annex 2: Final Objective Templates. This list was applied in the 2020-2023 and 2023-2025 Implemenation Plans)
(click on the text box below to view the document in a pop-up window)

Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe Circumpolar Action Plan’s (CAP) comprehensive list of actions and commitments (Annex III) span a timeframe of 10 years. Due to the challenge of allocating resources and responsibilities to plan activities in detail for the full 10-year period, a suite of 2 to 3-year implementation plans, each focusing on a limited set of actions, serve as a strategic tool for ensuring progressive completion of the full list of actions in the CAP.

The shorter duration of these implementation plans enables the Range States to carry out collaborative actions that align with national activities, priorities and strategies. The 2-3 year plans serve as the implementation schedule of the CAP, and allow the Range States to ensure progress, flexibility and efficiency in their circumpolar cooperation.

The implementation plans (developed by the CAP Implementation Team) are presented for agreement biennially at the Meetings of the Parties (MoP) to the Agreement. Progress on the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan was reported in November 2017. Progress on the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan was reported in January 2020. Progress on the 2020-2023 Implementation Plan was reported at the 2023 MoP. The 2023-2025 Implementation Plan is ongoing.

The Circumpolar Action Plan (CAP) is a 10-year cooperation plan between the Range States that aims to strengthen their efforts in polar bear conservation. The plan was adopted in 2015.

At the biennial meeting of the Polar Bear Agreement in Greenland in 2015, the Range States adopted the CAP with the goal to foster and strengthen international cooperation to conserve polar bears across their range. The CAP builds on each country’s national efforts and aims to lead to more efficient and effective use of conservation resources.

The vision of the CAP is to secure the long-term persistence of polar bears in the wild that represents the genetic, behavioral, life-history, and ecological diversity of the species.

Seven key threats are identified in the CAP; of these human-induced climate change and the effects of such changes on habitat and prey is considered the primary threat. The other threats include human-caused mortality; mineral and energy resource exploration and development; contaminants and pollution; shipping; tourism-related activities, and disease.

The vision of the plan is supported by seven objectives (six objectives were defined in the 2015-2025 CAP adopted in 2015 and one additional objective was defined in the 2020-2023 Implementation Plan). The objectives are to:

minimize threats to polar bears and their habitat
communicate to the public, policy makers, and legislators around the world the importance of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions to polar bear conservation
ensure the preservation and protection of essential habitat for polar bears
ensure responsible harvest management systems today that will sustain polar bear subpopulations for future generations
manage human-bear interactions to ensure human safety and to minimize polar bear injury or mortality
ensure that international legal trade of polar bears is carried out according to conservation principles and that poaching and illegal trade are curtailed.
carry out coordinated circumpolar population research and monitoring to monitor progress toward achieving the vision of the CAP

The CAP contains strategies and actions geared towards meeting these objectives by 2025. At each Range State biennial meeting, a periodic implementation plan is adopted, where a set of actions from the CAP that are to be implemented in the following 2-3 year interim are identified.

Half way through the implementation of the 10-year CAP, in 2020, the Polar Bear Range States undertook a mid-term review to evaluate the degree to which the actions have been implemented, the effectiveness of actions to achieving the stated objectives, and the impact of those actions toward achieving the vision. The mid-term-review identified a set of circumpolar actions linked to the seven objectives, and the Circumpolar Action Plan Implementation Team (CAP-IT) developed a detailed Plan for the period of 2020-2023.

The full text of the CAP adopted in 2015 and the Mid-term-review report from 2020, as well as appendices and annexes, can be downloaded in the sidebars of this page.

Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe 2018-2020 2-Year Implementation Plan was adopted at the 2018 Meeting of the Parties (MoP) to the Agreement in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA. Progress on the 2018-2020 Plan was reported at the 2020 MoP in Norway.

2018-2020 Implementation Plan Overview (click on table to view the document in a pop-up window)

2018-2020 Implementation Plan Progress Reports
(Click on the icon to view the overall progress report. Report sections for each Action are provided in the relevant sections below)

List of Objectives and associated Actions of the CAP 2018 - 2020 implementation plan:
(The Actions were not directly associated with the CAP Objectives in the original 2015-2025 CAP. The categorization of the Actions by Objectives presented below is based on the Mid-Term Review report in 2020; Annex_4_Fate_of_Previous_Actions and Annex_5_Rank_and_timing_of_actions).

Objective 1 - Track and reduce emerging threats to polar bears - (No Action)

Objective 2 - Communicate to the public, policy makers, and legislators around the world the importance of mitigating GHG emissions to polar bear conservation - (Action 53, 59)

Objective 2 - Communicate to the public, policy makers, and legislators around the world the importance of mitigating GHG emissions to polar bear conservation - (Action 53, 59)

Objective 2, 2018-2020 Implementation Plan

Action 53 - Establish and maintain a Range States’ website to disseminate information and provide links to relevant information sources

Action 53 - Establish and maintain a Range States’ website to disseminate information and provide links to relevant information sources

Action 53 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan Period

Status of Action-53 in 2020: Ongoing activity

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was partly modified to:

CCC-A4: The Maintain a climate change communications page on the RS website - associated with CAP Objective-2

Action 59 - Develop and implement a communications strategy on climate change in order to bring global focus to the threat to the Arctic and to polar bears and the need for the global community to reduce GHG emissions

Action 59 - Develop and implement a communications strategy on climate change in order to bring global focus to the threat to the Arctic and to polar bears and the need for the global community to reduce GHG emissions

Action 59 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period

Status of Action-59 in 2020: Started.

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was modified to:

CCC-A2: Develop a climate change communications plan that outlines key messages regarding the threat to the Arctic and to polar bears from climate change and the need for the global community to reduce GHG emissions.
CCC-A3: Identify strategic communications opportunities for the Range States to provide information regarding the threat to the Arctic and to polar bears from climate change and the need for the global community to reduce GHG emissions.
CCC-A6: Communicate key messages regarding the threat to polar bears and to the Arctic from climate change and the need for the global community to reduce GHG emissions.

Objective 3 - Ensure the conservation of essential habitat for polar bears - (Action 3)

Objective 3 - Ensure the conservation of essential habitat for polar bears - (Action 3)

Objective 3, 2018-2020-3 Implementation Plan

Action 3 - Define essential polar bear habitat and document change over time:

Action 3 - Define essential polar bear habitat and document change over time:

Action-3 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan Period

Status of Action-3 in 2020: Started

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was modicied to:

EH-A1: The PBSG will be asked to define categories of essential polar bear habitat and then compile existing information to generate an inventory of essential habitat by the categories (and identify gaps in existing information).
EH-A5: In each biennial report, the PBSG will be asked to provide an inventory of essential habitat by the categories identified previously by the PBSG.

Objective 4 - Ensure that harvest of polar bear subpopulations is managed in a biologically sustainable manner in accordance with sound conservation practices - (Action 1)

Objective 4 - Ensure that harvest of polar bear subpopulations is managed in a biologically sustainable manner in accordance with sound conservation practices - (Action 1)

Objective 4, 2018-2020 Implementation Plan

Action 1 - Consider the cumulative effects of climate change and human activities on polar bear subpopulations and habitats when making management decisions using tools such as predictive modeling

Action 1 - Consider the cumulative effects of climate change and human activities on polar bear subpopulations and habitats when making management decisions using tools such as predictive modeling

Action- 1 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period

Status of Action-1 in 2020: Started

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was modified to:

HM-A5: Compile an evaluation of Biologically Sustainable Harvest for each Polar Bear subpopulation, considering the influence of climate change.

Objective 5 - Manage human-bear interactions to ensure human safety and to minimize polar bear injury or mortality - (Actions 7, 19, 20, 22, 58)

Objective 5 - Manage human-bear interactions to ensure human safety and to minimize polar bear injury or mortality - (Actions 7, 19, 20, 22, 58)

Objective 5, 2018-2020 Implementation Plan

Action 7 - Develop strategies for responding to the potential for large numbers of nutritionally-stressed bears being close to communities and consider the consequences including those for human safety and transmission of disease between bears

Action 7 - Develop strategies for responding to the potential for large numbers of nutritionally-stressed bears being close to communities and consider the consequences including those for human safety and transmission of disease between bears

Action-7 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period

Status of Action 7 in 2020: Started

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was modified to

HBC-IS1: Share information related to strategies for responding to the potential for large numbers of bears stranded on shore near communities and human developments and consider the consequences including those for human safety.

Action 22 - Reduce the risk of injury and mortality to humans and bears as a result of their interactions

Action 22 - Reduce the risk of injury and mortality to humans and bears as a result of their interactions

Reduce the risk of injury and mortality to humans and bears as a result of their interactions by:

a. continuing to support the work of the Range State Conflict Working Group;
b. implementing and making available to all Range States the Polar Bear-Human Information Management System (PBHIMS);
c. developing and implementing appropriate data-sharing agreements among the Range States and making the data available to Range State management authorities;
d. entering all available data on human-bear interactions into the PBHIMS database on an ongoing basis; and
e. developing BMPs on tools and techniques for use in preventing and mitigating human–bear conflicts

Action-22 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period

Status of Action-22 in 2020: Partially completed.

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was modified to:

HBC-A1: Make available to all Range States the Polar Bear-Human Information Management System (PBHIMS); use SMART where possible.
HBC-IS3: Collaborate and share information on applied research and testing of new deterrent tools (i.e., drones, olfactory, electric fences) on wild and captive bears.>/p>

Action 58 - Use the PBHIMS database to produce safety education materials for use throughout the Arctic in order to minimize and mitigate human-bear interactions

Action 58 - Use the PBHIMS database to produce safety education materials for use throughout the Arctic in order to minimize and mitigate human-bear interactions

Action-58 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period

Status of Action-58 in 2020: Not completed.

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was modified to:

HBC-A7: Develop, and post to the RS website, core polar bear safety messages for a general audience and more detailed guidelines for specific user groups (e.g., industry, guide-led tourist groups, hunting/subsistence camps, researchers) as needed. One such product is tourism-operator guidelines to be published on the RS website and shared with The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) etc.

Objective 6 - Ensure that international trade of polar bears is carried out according to conservation principles - (Action 12)

Objective 6 - Ensure that international trade of polar bears is carried out according to conservation principles - (Action 12)

Objective 6, 2018-2020 Implementation Plan

Action 12 - Consider, and implement as appropriate, recommendations from the Range States’ Trade Working Group

Objective 7 - Carry out coordinated circumpolar population research and monitoring that addresses achieving the objectives and providing information to help make progress toward the vision and monitor progress toward the vision of the CAP - (Action 27, 29, 30) *

Objective 7 - Carry out coordinated circumpolar population research and monitoring that addresses achieving the objectives and providing information to help make progress toward the vision and monitor progress toward the vision of the CAP - (Action 27, 29, 30) *

Objective 7, 2018-2020 Implementation Plan

Action 30 - Obtain information, where possible, on vital rates for all 19 subpopulations of polar bears. Improve methods to evaluate ecological indicators (e.g., reproduction) as proxies for robust estimates of vital rates

Action 30 - Obtain information, where possible, on vital rates for all 19 subpopulations of polar bears. Improve methods to evaluate ecological indicators (e.g., reproduction) as proxies for robust estimates of vital rates

Action-30 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period

Status of Action-30 in 2020: Started

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was modified to:

PRM-A4: Encourage support and compile estimates of vital rates for all 19 subpopulations of polar bears
PRM-A5: Collate information on vital rates for each of the 19 subpopulations of polar bears

* Objective-7 was added to the Circumpolar Action Plan in 2020.

List of other Actions of the CAP 2018 - 2020 implementation plan**:

Best Management Practices - (Actions 14, 16, 17, 18)

Best Management Practices - (Actions 14, 16, 17, 18)

Action 14 - Work with appropriate authorities to develop the necessary emergency response plans
and
Action 16 - Compile, and prepare as necessary, international, national, and local BMPs for mineral and energy exploration and development

Action 17 - Operations, Protocolls and Procedures of the Range States

Contaminants and Pollution:

Action 18 - Develop and implement BMPs or action plans to mitigate contamination, or debris, and their effect on polar bears in subpopulations where contaminants are a concern

Action 18 - Develop and implement BMPs or action plans to mitigate contamination, or debris, and their effect on polar bears in subpopulations where contaminants are a concern

Action-18 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period

Status of Action-18 in 2020: Started

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the CAP but continued as an ongoing PBRS activity.

Monitoring and Research - (Actions 33, 34, 35, 42)

Monitoring and Research - (Actions 33, 34, 35, 42)

Obtain Information on all Polar Bear Subpopulations:

Action 33 - Have the relevant scientific authorities conduct regular population assessments

Action 33 - Have the relevant scientific authorities conduct regular population assessments

Action-33 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period

Status of Action-33 in 2020: Started

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the Circumpolar Action Plan but continued as an ongoing activity.

Remarks: Annual reports and polar bear population status tables are presented on the IUCN/SCC Polar Bear Specialist Group website.

Action 34 - Obtain TEK as per the acquisition schedule (Appendix VI) and consider, in conjunction with scientific data, in management decisions, where appropriate

Action 35 - Determine what kinds of TEK are most useful for conservation and management and develop objectives, guidelines, and standards for collection and reporting of such information to maximize its utility

Action 35 - Determine what kinds of TEK are most useful for conservation and management and develop objectives, guidelines, and standards for collection and reporting of such information to maximize its utility

Action-35 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period

Status of Action-35 in 2020: Ongoing activity

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the CAP but continued as an ongoing PBRS activity.

Contaminants and Pollution Research:

Action 42 - Compile the state of knowledge on (both global and local source) contaminants affecting polar bears and prey

Action 42 - Compile the state of knowledge on (both global and local source) contaminants affecting polar bears and prey

Action-42 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period

Action 42 presentation at Biennial Meeting of the Parties in 2020

Technical report (Action 42 deliverable):

Routti et al (2019), Contaminants in polar bears from the circumpolar Arctic, State of knowledge and further recommendations for monitoring and research – Action #42 of the Circumpolar Action Plan for polar bear conservation. Norwegian Polar Institute Brief report nr. 52.
Routti, H., et al (2019), State of knowledge on current exposure, fate and potential health effects of contaminants in polar bears from the circumpolar Arctic, Science of the Total Environment, vol 664: 1063-1083, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.030

Status of Action-42 in 2020: Completed

Performance Measurement - (Actions 60, 63)

Performance Measurement - (Actions 60, 63)

Action 60 - Regular reporting of the results of the Plan will be done according to Table 4

Action 60 - Regular reporting of the results of the Plan will be done according to Table 4

The reports will be made public:

a) Biennial reviews will be made before each Meeting of the Parties, measuring progress on the action points.
b) A more in-depth mid-term review will be made after four years, measuring progress on the objectives.

Action-60 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period

Status of Action-60 in 2020: Ongoing

Action 63 - Improved design of polar bear population studies

Action 63 - Improved design of polar bear population studies

Action-63 Progress Report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period

Status of Action-63 in 2020: Started

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the Circumpolar Action Plan.

Remarks: Scientific publications listed in the progress report for the 2018-2020 Implementation Plan period (link above) as in preparation have been published:

Hostetter NJ, Lunn NJ, Richardson ES, Regehr EV, Converse SJ (2021) Age-structured Jolly-Seber model expands inference and improves parameter estimation from capture-recapture data. PLoS ONE 16(6): e0252748. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252748 pmid:34106979
Regehr, E.V., Hostetter, N.J., Wilson, R.R. et al. Integrated Population Modeling Provides the First Empirical Estimates of Vital Rates and Abundance for Polar Bears in the Chukchi Sea. Sci Rep 8, 16780 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-34824-7

* * The 'other' Actions have a general connection to the CAP and are not directly associated with a specific CAP Objective. The categorization applied in this list follows the categories used in the original CAP. (Source: Table of CAP Actions in original CAP (Annex 3) (2015). See also Mid-Term Review report (2020); MTR report Annex_4_Fate_of_Previous_Actions and MTR report Annex_5_Rank_and_timing_of_actions).

Progress on the 2015-2017 2-Year Implementation Plan was reported in November 2017 and is summarized below. The full report and individual reprots can be found below.

2015-2017 Implementation Plan Overview (click on table to view the document in a pop-up window)

2015-2017 Implementation Plan Progress Reports
(Click on the icon to view the overall progress report. Report sections for each Action are provided in the relevant sections below)

List of Objectives and associated Actions of the CAP 2015 - 2027 implementation plan:
(The Actions were not directly associated with the CAP Objectives in the original 2015-2025 CAP. The categorization of the Actions by Objectives presented below is based on the Mid-Term Review report in 2020; Annex_4_Fate_of_Previous_Actions and Annex_5_Rank_and_timing_of_actions).

Objective 1 - Track and reduce emerging threats to polar bears - (No Action)

Objective 2 - Communicate to the public, policy makers, and legislators around the world the importance of mitigating GHG emissions to polar bear conservation - (Actions 55, 59)

Objective 2 - Communicate to the public, policy makers, and legislators around the world the importance of mitigating GHG emissions to polar bear conservation - (Actions 55, 59)

Objective 2, 2015-2017 Implementation Plan

Actions 55 and 59 - Communications plan & communications strategy for promoting polar bear conservation during a changing climate

Actions 55 and 59 - Communications plan & communications strategy for promoting polar bear conservation during a changing climate

Action 55: The Range States Comms WG will develop a communications plan for the CAP

Action 59: The Comms WG will create a report which strategically identifies appropriate messages regarding climate change threats to polar bear bears and the means to communicate these messages to the global audience.

Status 2017: Task for current 2-year cycle complete; will be carried into next 2-year cycle and through 2025.

Actions 55 and 59 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Actions were modified to the following Actions associated with Objective-2:

CCC-A2: Develop a climate change communications plan that outlines key messages regarding the threat to the Arctic and to polar bears from climate change and the need for the global community to reduce GHG emissions.
CCC-A3: Identify strategic communications opportunities for the Range States to provide information regarding the threat to the Arctic and to polar bears from climate change and the need for the global community to reduce GHG emissions.
CCC-A6: Communicate key messages regarding the threat to polar bears and to the Arctic from climate change and the need for the global community to reduce GHG emissions.

Objective 3 - Ensure the conservation of essential habitat for polar bears - (Actions 3, 13)

Objective 3 - Ensure the conservation of essential habitat for polar bears - (Actions 3, 13)

Objective 3, 2015-2017 Implementation Plan

Action 3 - Define and identify essential polar bear habitat and document change over time

Action 3 - Define and identify essential polar bear habitat and document change over time

Range States will determine the status of the identification of essential habitat for polar bear in the 19 subpopulations. Additionally, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC) Polar Bear Specialist Group (PBSG) will:

Develop a suite of broad sea-ice metrics that characterize essential polar bear habitat, examine changes over time based on past observations, and project changes into the future.
A peer-reviewed paper describing results.
An outline for future work and a suggested work plan that would include identification of essential terrestrial habitat.

Status in 2017: Progress made in current 2-year cycle; ongoing into next 2-year cycle (pending funding).

Action 3 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was modified to the following Actions associated with Objective-3:

EH-A1: The PBSG will be asked to define categories of essential polar bear habitat and then compile existing information to generate an inventory of essential habitat by the categories (and identify gaps in existing information).
EH-A5: In each biennial report, the PBSG will be asked to provide an inventory of essential habitat by the categories identified previously by the PBSG.

Action 13 - Assess the adequacy of existing oil and contaminant spill emergency response plans to protect essential polar bear habitat, and prevent polar bears from being exposed to oil

Action 13 - Assess the adequacy of existing oil and contaminant spill emergency response plans to protect essential polar bear habitat, and prevent polar bears from being exposed to oil

Each Range State will compile existing national literature. Russia will amalgamate all of the information into a circumpolar summary.

Status in 2017: Progress has been made; expect to be completed before the 2018 Meeting of the Parties (MoP).

Action-13 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implemenation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the Circumpolar Action Plan.
The implementation of the Action will partly continue at domestic/bilateral level (i.e., To assess the adequacy of existing oil and contaminant spill emergency response plans to protect essential polar bear habitat).

Objective 4 - Ensure that harvest of polar bear subpopulations is managed in a biologically sustainable manner in accordance with sound conservation practices - (No Action)

Objective 5 - Manage human-bear interactions to ensure human safety and to minimize polar bear injury or mortality - (Actions 7, 22)

Objective 5 - Manage human-bear interactions to ensure human safety and to minimize polar bear injury or mortality - (Actions 7, 22)

Objective 5, 2015-2017 Implementation Plan

Action 7 - Develop strategies for responding to the potential for large numbers of bears stranded on shore near communities and human developments and consider the consequences including those for human safety and transmission of disease between bears

Action 7 - Develop strategies for responding to the potential for large numbers of bears stranded on shore near communities and human developments and consider the consequences including those for human safety and transmission of disease between bears

A report will be prepared which summarizes the existing information on strategies for addressing large numbers of bears stranded on shore near communities and human developments, and the risks to human safety. The report will, if possible, identify the geographic areas where the likelihood of such events is higher.

Status 2017: Ongoing for current 2-year cycle; will be carried into next 2-year cycle.

Action-7 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implemenation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was modified to the following Actions associated with Objective-5:

HBC-IS1: Share information related to strategies for responding to the potential for large numbers of bears stranded on shore near communities and human developments and consider the consequences including those for human safety.

Action 22 - Reduce the risk of injury and mortality to humans and bears as a result of their interactions by:

Action 22 - Reduce the risk of injury and mortality to humans and bears as a result of their interactions by:

Status in 2017: Partially complete in current 2-year cycle; will be carried into next 2-year cycle.

Action-22 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was modified to the following Actions associated with Objective-5:

HBC-A1: Make available to all Range States the Polar Bear-Human Information Management System (PBHIMS); use SMART where possible.
HBC-IS3: Collaborate and share information on applied research and testing of new deterrent tools (i.e., drones, olfactory, electric fences) on wild and captive bears.

Objective 6 - Ensure that international trade of polar bears is carried out according to conservation principles - (Action 12)

Objective 6 - Ensure that international trade of polar bears is carried out according to conservation principles - (Action 12)

Objective 6, 2015-2017 Implementation Plan

Action 12 - Polar Bear Range States’ Trade Working Group recommendations

Action 12 - Polar Bear Range States’ Trade Working Group recommendations

Implement the six recommendations adopted by the Range States based on completion of the Trade Working Group project International Cooperation for Better Enforcement, Reporting and Data for Polar Bears to fulfill the statements set forth in the Declaration of the Responsible Ministers of the Polar Bear Range States to counter threat of poaching and illegal trade and to strengthen international cooperation to improve the clarity of legal trade data.

Status in 2017: Partially complete in current 2-year cycle; will be carried into next 2-year cycle.

Action-12 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the Circumpolar Action Plan.

Objective 7 * - Carry out coordinated circumpolar population research and monitoring that addresses achieving the objectives and providing information to help make progress toward the vision and monitor progress toward the vision of the CAP - (Actions 27, 29)

Objective 7 * - Carry out coordinated circumpolar population research and monitoring that addresses achieving the objectives and providing information to help make progress toward the vision and monitor progress toward the vision of the CAP - (Actions 27, 29)

Objective 7, 2015-2017 Implementation Plan

Action 27 - Inter-jurisdictional collaboration in support of consistent research methods and data sets for polar bears

Action 27 - Inter-jurisdictional collaboration in support of consistent research methods and data sets for polar bears

Researchers from the Range States will endeavor to develop and apply, where appropriate, common research techniques and data reporting. This will be achieved, for example, through the IUCN/SSC PBSG, exchange among research personnel of the Range States, and other forums.

Status in 2017: Progress has been made in current 2-year cycle; will be carried into next 2-year cycle and through 2025.

Action-27 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was modified to:

PRM-A2: Share research plans among jurisdictions to encourage consistency of methods and data - associated with a new CAP Objective-7: Carry out coordinated circumpolar population research and monitoring that addresses achieving the objectives and providing information to help make progress toward the vision and monitor progress toward the vision of the CAP

Action 29 - Determination of population size estimates as per the Inventory Schedule

Action 29 - Determination of population size estimates as per the Inventory Schedule

Subject to priorities, each Range State will conduct population assessments as per the CAP Inventory Schedule (Appendix V).

Status in 2017: Progress has been made in current 2-year cycle; will be carried into next 2-year cycle and through 2025.

Action-29 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was modified to:

PRM-A3: Obtain population size estimates for all 19 subpopulations of polar bears according to the inventory schedule provided in this Plan (see Appendix V) - associated with a new CAP Objective-7: Carry out coordinated circumpolar population research and monitoring that addresses achieving the objectives and providing information to help make progress toward the vision and monitor progress toward the vision of the CAP

* Objective-7 was added as a new CAP Objective in 2020.

List of other Actions of the CAP 2015 - 2017 implementation plan*:

Best Management Practices - (Actions 17, 18, 19)

Best Management Practices - (Actions 17, 18, 19)

Action 17 - Operations, Protocols, and Procedures of the Range States

Action 17 - Operations, Protocols, and Procedures of the Range States

Explore and develop options for making the operations of the Range States more standardized and/or formal. A working group will be created to develop options for consideration by the Range States in 2017. Options should include a full range from formally adopting rules of procedure and protocols to consideration of a Secretariat, and associated costs and funding options to implement the CAP.

Status in 2017: Progress has been made in current 2-year cycle; options will be presented at the 2018 MoP.

Action-17 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the CAP but continued as an ongoing PBRS activity.

Action 18 - Determine priority research needs considering the monitoring framework, national mandates and funding options

Action 18 - Determine priority research needs considering the monitoring framework, national mandates and funding options

IUCN/SSC PBSG to consider all the science-related actions in the CAP and to prioritize them into two and ten year actions with a report back to the Range States for their consideration. The report will include possible funding sources and applications will have been made, where appropriate.

Status in 2017: Progress has been made in current 2-year cycle; will be carried into next 2-year cycle.

Action-18 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the CAP but continued as an ongoing PBRS activity.

Action 19 - Continue to support the work of the Range States Conflict Working Group (CWG)

Action 19 - Continue to support the work of the Range States Conflict Working Group (CWG)

Each Range State will identify key tourism operators and engage in discussions with them about their current practices to minimize the impacts of their activities on polar bears and the risk to humans of tourism in areas where polar bears are present.

Status in 2017: Progress made in current 2-year cycle; will be combined with action #20 and carried into next 2-year cycle.

Action-19 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the Circumpolar Action Plan.

Monitoring and Research - (Actions 33, 34, 35)

Monitoring and Research - (Actions 33, 34, 35)

Obtain Information on all Polar Bear Subpopulations:

Action 33 - Annual population assessments for each of the polar bear subpopulations

Action 33 - Annual population assessments for each of the polar bear subpopulations

Population assessments of all 19 subpopulations will be conducted on an annual basis for each of the subpopulations. If there is no new information the assessment for an individual subpopulation may remain unchanged from the previous year. The assessment reports will be made generally available in a timely manner.

Status in 2017: Progress has been made in current 2-year cycle; will be carried into next 2-year cycle and through 2025.

Action-33 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the Circumpolar Action Plan.

Action 34 - Obtaining Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) for each subpopulation

Action 34 - Obtaining Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) for each subpopulation

Subject to priorities each Range State will compile TEK for each subpopulation as per the CAP Acquisition Schedule (Appendix VI).

Status in 2017: Task for current 2-year cycle expected to be approved at the 2018 MoP; will be carried into next 2-year cycle and through 2025.

Action-34 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the CAP but continued as an ongoing PBRS activity.

Action 35 - Establishment of a Range State definition of TEK and guidelines for the use of TEK in management decisions

Action 35 - Establishment of a Range State definition of TEK and guidelines for the use of TEK in management decisions

A TEK Working Group (Canada, Greenland, United States and Russia) will be formed and will work to establish an agreed-upon definition of TEK. The TEK Working Group (WG) will then work to establish guidelines for the Range States for including TEK in management decisions. The TEK WG will consider legal requirements in each Range States and the language of the Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears.

Status in 2017: Task for current 2-year cycle expected to be approved at the 2018 MoP; task may be carried into next 2-year cycle and through 2025.

Action-35 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the CAP but continued as an ongoing PBRS activity.

Communications and Outreach - (Action 53)

Action 53 - Maintenance of website established for 2015 Range State meeting and establishment of a permanent Range State website

Action 53 - Maintenance of website established for 2015 Range State meeting and establishment of a permanent Range State website

A Range States Communications Working Group (Comms WG) will be created to develop a website and long-term funding plan for the related costs. The existing website for the 2015 Range States Biennial Meeting of the Parties (MoP) will be maintained until a permanent solution is in place. The permanent website will be in place on December 1, 2017.

Status in 2017: Task will be partially complete Dec. 1, 2017; will be carried into next 2-year cycle and through 2025.

Action-53 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was partly modified to:

CCC-A4: The Maintain a climate change communications page on the RS website - associated with CAP Objective-2

Performance Measurement - (Actions 60, 61, 63)

Performance Measurement - (Actions 60, 61, 63)

Action 60 - Biennial reviews based on Table 4 of the CAP

Action 60 - Biennial reviews based on Table 4 of the CAP

The CAP Implementation Team (IT) will develop a biennial report which will include national updates as well as a progress report on actions related to the Plan. The reports will be posted on the website shortly before each Range States Biennial Meeting of the Parties MoP.

Status in 2017: Task partially complete Dec. 1, 2017, remaining task for current 2-year cycle expected to be approved at the 2018 MoP; will be carried into next 2-year cycle and through 2025.

Action-60 Progress Report for teh 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Action 61 - Establish baselines for measurement of action plan performance

Action 61 - Establish baselines for measurement of action plan performance

The CAP IT will develop baseline values for all the agreed indicators of the performance measurement system of the plan. It is important to note that this concerns baseline values of the indicators of success of the CAP, not scientific baselines values pertaining to specific research or monitoring activities in the plan. These baseline values will document the current situation for the targets or activities that the different actions in the plan address and serve as the starting point for measuring progress.

Status in 2017: Task expected to be completed before the 2018 MoP.

Action-61 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Action 63 - Explore methods for improving the design of improving polar bear population studies

Action 63 - Explore methods for improving the design of improving polar bear population studies

IUCN/SSC PBSG to develop recommendations for improving the design of population studies/assessments in order to increase the efficiency of how resources are utilized.

Status in 2017: Progress has been made in current 2-year cycle; will be carried into next 2-year cycle.

Action-63 Progress Report for the 2015-2017 Implementation Plan period

Mid-Term Review updates in 2020:

The Action was removed from the Circumpolar Action Plan.

* The 'other' Actions have a general connection to the CAP and cannot be associated with a specific Objective. The categorization applied in this list follows the categories used in the original CAP.
(Source: Table of CAP Actions in original CAP (Annex 3) (2015). See also Mid-Term Review report (2020); MTR report Annex_4_Fate_of_Previous_Actions and MTR report Annex_5_Rank_and_timing_of_actions).

Navigation to CAP Objectives, Actions and Deliverables across Implementation Plan periods

Photo credit: Mario Hoppmann/Flickr.com

Overview of CAP Implementation and revisions

Photo credit: USFWS

Circumpolar Action Plan Fact Sheet

Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

All Circumpolar Action Plan documents:

Photo: Dr. Pablo Clemente Colon NOAA National Ice Center/Flickr.com

CAP - Overview of Actions

Implementation and modifications of the 2015-2025 Circumpolar Action Plan.

2015-2025 Circumpolar Action Plan - Table of Actions (original CAP from 2015) (List of Actions in the original CAP from 2015 (Annex III). This list was applied in the 2015-2017 and 2018-2020 Implemenation Plans)(click on the table to view the document in a pop-up window)

Implementation Plans

Circumpolar Action Plan

2018-2020 Implementation Plan

2015-2017 CAP Implementation Plan

Navigation to CAP Objectives, Actions and Deliverables across Implementation Plan periods

Overview of CAP Implementation and revisions

Circumpolar Action Plan Fact Sheet

All Circumpolar Action Plan documents:

Circumpolar Action Plan 2015-2025 (CAP)

CAP Mid-Term Review (2020)

CAP Implementation Plans

2015-2025 Circumpolar Action Plan - Table of Actions (original CAP from 2015)
(List of Actions in the original CAP from 2015 (Annex III). This list was applied in the 2015-2017 and 2018-2020 Implemenation Plans)
(click on the table to view the document in a pop-up window)