8.2 Inuvialuit-Inupiat Agreement

Presentation Title: Inuvialuit-Inupiat Polar Bear Management Agreement in the Southern Beaufort Sea
Summary: The Inuvialuit-Inupiat Polar Bear Management Agreement in the Southern Beaufort Sea covers the Canada/U.S. shared population of Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears. The presentation begins with a background on the beginnings of the Agreement, the six parties involved, and the governance structure that involves Commissioners and technical advisors. Actions that both parties commit to through the agreement (i.e. highlights of the agreement) are outlined. They address: viable and sustainable management; protection; traditional and scientific knowledge including research; monitoring and meetings. Successful results are illustrated. Then key recommendations from 2017 (population estimates/surveys, a 5-year research plan and Russian involvement) are shared. Best practices are mentioned and include: information sharing; traditional knowledge; collaboration and a moratorium on collars. Information is provided as to why this Agreement could be used as a model for other user-to-user agreements and continuing collaboration on this and other issues.