View Rule

Title V of the Marine Mammal Protection Act addresses implementation of actions taken by the Commissioners to the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation on the Conservation and Management of the Alaska-Chukotka Polar Bear Population (Agreement; done at Washington on October 16, 2000). This rule implements the annual taking limit for the Alaska-Chukotka Polar Bear Population, adopted by that Commission. It also establishes certain prohibitions on the taking of polar bears by Alaska Natives from the Alaska-Chukotka Polar Bear Population (for example, Chukchi Sea stock) and establishes new reporting requirements. The rule is intended to ensure the U.S. total take of polar bears does not exceed the annual taking limit apportioned to the United States under this agreement.