The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a change to the requirements allowing the import of sport hunted polar bear trophies from Canada. This action implements a November 10, 2003 Congressional amendment to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), that will allow additional imports of certain trophies.
In its action, the Congress expanded the period for allowing grandfathered trophy imports. As a result of this change the Service can now accept applications from hunters for permits under the MMPA to import polar bear trophies legally taken prior to February 18, 1997 from Nunavut or Northwest Territories, Canada. Prior to this amendment such trophies from currently deferred populations could be imported only if taken prior to April 30, 1994. This action does not affect the requirements for imports of sport-hunted trophies taken after February 18, 1997. Imports of trophies taken after that date can only be from approved populations. All import permits require a $1,000 contribution to support international polar bear conservation programs.
For additional information please visit: http://international.fws.gov">
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95 million acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 542 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency S enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For more information on the Fish and Wildlife Service, see our Web site at http://www.fws.gov">.
