10.1.6 More People and Less Ice

Presentation Title: More People and Less Ice – Challenges and Measures in the Local Management of Polar Bears on Svalbard, Norway
Summary: The number of people visiting Svalbard increases. At the same time, the ice coverage of the fjords in Svalbard, are decreasing. This means that people and bears could meet more often, and this gives the local management of polar bears on Svalbard some challenges. One of the main goals for the environmental protection of Svalbard is that the archipelago should be one of the world’s best managed wilderness areas. Thus, the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act from 2002 represents a tangible regulation of activities in the wilderness, and there are several sections that are specifically targeted to prevent human – polar bear conflicts and disturbance of the bears. Through careful processing of applications for activities in important polar bear habitats, through information, guidance and presence in the field, and through cooperation and communication with the tourist industry and scientific communities, the Governor aims to prevent such conflicts. When incidents between people and polar bears nevertheless occur, the Governor try to solve these in a way that protects people and influence and disturb the polar bears as little as possible. The Governor has dedicated plans on how to respond to reports about polar bear observations near settlements. When polar bears approach, the Governor implements surveillance, interception (snowmobiles, cars, helicopter, boats), scaring (flash bangers, rubber bullets) and escorting the bears in the wanted direction. In recurring incidents, bears are tranquillized if possible and relocated by helicopter. The very last option is killing of a bear, but the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act has an opening for this if there are now other options.