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HOME - NEWS EcoAdvise & Communication   NEW POLAR BEAR HUNTING QUOTA  IN GREENLAND Last update 22.2.2006, 21:00 hrs     BRIEFLY ON POLAR BEAR MANAGEMENT IN GREENLAND Polar Bear hunting in Greenland  2006 2005  2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 - not published 228* 278 190 180 159 Quota: 150 No quota No quota  No quota No quota No quota No quota Source: Greenlandic Homerule Ministry for Fishery and Hunting * Heinrich (in litt.): E-mail dated 30th Dec. 2005. Still preliminary data.   The Greenlandic Institute of Natural Ressources and the IUCN/SSC Polar Bear Specialist Group has recommended a maximum annual catch of Polar Bears in West Greenland at 1.5-3% of the population depending on sex and age of the animals.   The total Greenlandic polar bear population is unknown. No population data are currently available from East Greenland although 45-80 bears are killed annually but population "guesstimates" range from 1,500-4,000 animals. In West Greenland three seperate populations - all shared with Canada - are recognised:   Population estimates (IUCN) Annual hunt in Canada and Greenland (average 1999-2003)(Sustainable hunting levels in brackets) The Kane Basin c. 160 11 (7) The Baffin Bay 2,100 175 (88) Davis Strait 1,400 60 (50)   Find out more at www.natur.gl, http://pbsg.npolar.no or in the report "The Big Four" published by WWF Denmark. At http://www.nanoq.gl the Greenlandic Homerule has official information about the polar bear in Greenland (in Danish). Read also more about polar bears at WWF International's polar bear site on the Web.     SIKU NEWS reports: No plans for throphy hunting Tuesday 22th February 2006.   According to SIKU News the Greenlandic Homerule has no plans for allowing foreigners to hunt polar bears in Greenland. This was otherwise the plan last year in connection with the  approval of the Polar bear hunting regulation.   Link to SIKU News story     GREENLAND HOMERULE PRESS RELEASE: Polar bear quota distributed Tuesday 22th February 2006, 21:00 hrs.   The Homerule has distributed the hunting quota for 2006 among the municipalities (right)   According to the new Polar bear protection act all female bears with pups and pups not matter their age are totally protected.   Only professional hunters are allowed to hunt polar bears from 1st September to 31st June. During the closed season also lonely male bears are totally protected.   The new quota does not give any details about a trophy hunting quota although trophy hunting was allowed with the new regulationfrom 15th October 2005.   The quotas are valid from 1.1-31.12.2006.     Municipality Quota Nanortalik 2 Qaqortoq 1 Narsaq 1 Paamiut 1 Nuuk 1 Maniitsoq 2 Sisimiut 2 Kangaatsiaq 2 Aasiaat 2 Qasigiannguit 1 Ilulissat 1 Qeqertarsuaq 2 Uummannaq 2 Upernavik 50 Qaanaaq 30 Ammassalik 20 Ittoqqortoormiit 30 In total: 150     The Greenlandic news site webavisen.gl: Polar bear quota at 150 Tuesday 27th December 2005, 19:54 hrs.   For the first time, the Homerule Government has decided on a quota for Polar bears in Greenland. The hunting quota will be 150 polar bears next year.   The quota was made on the basis of the average kills from 1993 to 2002 and with reference to the new statutory order on the conservation and hunting of polar bears that went into force on the 15th October 2005.   According to the regulations only professional hunters with a valid license are allowed to hunt polar bear.   The Greenlandic Homerule Government's web site nanoq.gl: Tourist souvenirs in Nuuk, Greenland - June 2005. Price tag on polar bear skull state DKK 2,495 (EUR 360). (Photos: T. Hjarsen/EcoAdvise)     Polar bear quota 2006 Tuesday 27th December 2005 - press release On its meeting Thursday the 22end 2005 the Greenlandic Homerule Government decided on a quota for Polar bears hunting in Greenland from 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2006. The Government decided to set the Polar bear quota for 2006 at 150. After consultations with the Hunter's association, KNAPK and the association of Greenlandic municipalities, KANUKOKA the Homerule minister for Fishery and Hunting will distribute the quota among the municipalities. The minister will later be able to redistribute the quota locally. The proposed distribution of the local quotas have been submitted to the local municipalities for comments. The first year quota is based on the average annual kills in the years from 1993 until 2002. The quota setting is based on the new statutory order on conservation and hunting of polar bears that went into force on the 15th October 2005. According to the new regulation only professional hunters with a license may hunt polar bears after 1st January 2005.   Finn Karlsen Aalisarnermut Piniarnermullu Naalakkersuisoq Homerule minister for Fishery and Hunting     Trophy hunting may benefit polar bears Greenland's radio, KNR, 17.1.2005 Trophy hunting on polar bears could create an economic incentive to manage the polar bears in Greenland more sustainable. Similar experiences is known from e.g. Africa, says biologist Thor Hjarsen. However, today there are still no scientific data to set such biologically sustainable quota in Greenland. Link to KNR story (in Danish)