Description

CAP Objective 6: Ensure that international trade of polar bears is carried out according to conservation principles

This presentation reviews CAP Objective 6, which focused on ensuring that international trade in polar bears is consistent with conservation principles. Canada remains the principal source of polar bear products in global trade, particularly hides. All Canadian exports are strictly regulated to comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)—implemented by the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act and Wild Animal and Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations.

A central achievement under Objective 6 was the completion of the 2012–2021 polar bear trade review, which provided a comprehensive assessment of the topic.

The presentation reviews how polar bear trade has evolved since 2021. The international trade in hides is now at a 20-year low, making it effectively marginal compared to previous decades. Exports to China dropped sharply after 2013 but have since stabilized at around 36 hides per year, while exports to other Range States have effectively ceased since 2021.

The presentation concludes by noting that the market for polar bear hides can change dramatically in relatively short periods. This underscores both the volatility of market demand and the importance of sustained monitoring to detect sudden changes in trade dynamics.