Decreasing the number of polar bears and walruses

The United States Marine and Wildlife Service (FWS) has published a report on the current status of polar bears and Pacific walrus in Alaska. Reports confirm that polar bears in Alaska are declining in numbers and Pacific walrus are at risk. Both species are put into danger due to the loss of their habitat (ice on the sea) due to global warming, the rapid increase in oil and gas effects, and the over-exploitation of seafood by humans.

'Polar bears and polar bears are currently in serious threat, and we will be faced with the loss of both species that are considered symbols of the Arctic without action. quickly to reduce the phenomenon of greenhouse gas pollution and protect their habitat from oil intrusion. ' - According to Brendan Cumming, director of ocean programs at the Center for Biodiversity Protection.

Reports, published under the Mammal Protection Act on the Ocean, summarize information on the number of individuals of each existing species and predict future trends, as well as threats to these two species, along with calculations of human mortality caused to them.

There are currently two populations of polar bears that exist in Alaska: a South Sea population of Beaufort, together with Canada, and a population of Bering / Chukchi seas, together with Russia. Pacific walrus appears in Chukchi and Bering seas, together with Russia.

The hippopotamus on an ice floe in the Arctic. (Photo: iStockphoto / John Pitcher)

For the Southern polar bear population of Beaufort Sea, the Marine and Wildlife Protection Agency estimates at least 1,397, but 54 die each year due to human causes, higher mortality rates to ensure sustained species are 22 per year. Quantitative assessment suggests that 'South Sea Beaufort bear population is currently declining.'

For the Bering / Chukchi sea bear, the agency estimates there are at least 2000, and human-induced mortality is 37 in Alaska and 150-250 in Russia. Meanwhile, the mortality rate ensures sustained maintenance of 30 animals per year. The review suggests that 'the number of individuals is definitely declining' and 'this reduction has proven to be unsustainable. '

In the Pacific walrus, the aforementioned agency calculated that at least 15,164 individuals currently exist, and each year humans die from 4,963 to 5,460, while the calculated hunting rate is 607 children per year.

In the above three estimates, only the number of Beaufort sea polar bears is well studied and reliable. The number of polar bears in the Bering / Chukchi Sea is published based on incomplete data and may be higher than the actual level, while the number of walruses may be lower than the actual number because it is based on surveys. in half of the living places and not including those under water instead of on ice.

'These reports formally confirm what scientists have been studying for several years: the number of polar bears and walruses in Alaska is threatened,' Cummings added. 'And even if this number is inaccurate, we still know for certain that when they do not live in sea ice, they are very likely to be threatened.'

The Law on Mammal Protection in the Ocean requires Interior and Commercial Ministers to prepare an assessment of mammals in the ocean. The assessments are used as a basis for management decisions related to killing or affecting the reasons for commercial fishing, oil and gas exploitation, yachting and shipping, and jobs. for military purposes.

To ensure that policymakers get the most accurate information, assess the quantity to be reviewed annually for endangered marine animals, and every three years for those other species. While the National Fisheries Administration, which is responsible for whales, dolphins and seals, has strictly complied with these requirements, the Marine and Wildlife Protection Agency , responsible for polar bears, walruses, otters, and manatees, has a completely ignored attitude.

In 2007, the Center for Biodiversity Protection sued the Wildlife Protection Agency and reached a court ruling requiring the agency to publish annual updates. Estimates of the number of Florida manatees were published last week, while the otter report was released last year.

At present, polar bears are listed as threatened according to the Law on Protection of Endangered Species at the recommendation of the Center for Biodiversity Protection. The Marine and Wildlife Service is currently enforcing a court ruling to make recommendations from the above Center in protecting Pacific walrus in accordance with the Law on Protection of Endangered Species. September 10, 2009.