158 



food chain of which polar bears are a part; harassment as a 

 result of increased human presence in areas occupied by polar 

 bears, especially denning areas. There also is the potential 

 that Native take for subsistence/handicraft purposes could 

 adversely impact polar bear populations. At present, there is 

 no evidence that Native take is adversely affecting polar bear 

 populations. However, a better understanding of these impacts 

 is needed and if other sources of impacts on polar bear 

 populations increase, the resulting cumulative effects could 

 cause population declines. 



To fully address these threats to polar bear population 

 stocks and provide the level of protection contemplated by the 

 drafters of the MMPA and the Agreement, both legal authorities 

 would have to be amended. By carrying the strong points of 

 the MMPA and the Agreement forward into each other, a uniform 

 set of legal principles would be established to govern both 

 international and United States domestic efforts to protect 

 and conserve polar bears. Policy decisions must be made 

 whether it is appropriate to pursue some or all of the changes 

 that would be reguired to bring the MMPA and the Agreement 

 into full conformance with each other. 



To more fully implement the Polar Bear Agreement, a 

 number of amendments could be undertaken. Legal authority to 

 protect polar bear habitat could be expressly set forth. Such 

 authority is not directly provided for in the MMPA or other 

 United States laws. One way to accomplish this is by amending 



(09901 -9700/DA930320.0I6] -V- 12/20/93 



