88 



17 



Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears 



Committee staff have been provided with copies of a report 

 prepared for the Commission on reconciling the legal mechanisms 

 to protect and manage polar bears under domestic statutes and the 

 Agreement for the Conservation of Polar Bears. That report 

 suggests several amendments that could be made to the Marine 

 Mammal Protection Act and the Agreement to bring them into full 

 conformance. Among other things, Congress might consider 

 amending the Act to prohibit using aircraft or large motorized 

 vessels to take or assist in the taking of polar bears, to 

 prohibit hunting of polar bear cubs or females with cubs or in 

 denning areas, and to strengthen protections for polar bear 

 habitat. Among other things, habitat protection under the Marine 

 Mammal Protection Act could be enhanced by including the term 

 "harm, " including harm that results from habitat degradation or 

 modification, within the definition of "take." 



