The pact will establish quotas on how many bears can be hunted for subsistence by Natives in both areas. Bear management decisions will be made by new commissions in Russia and the United States that include Natives of both nations. The new pact puts polar bear denning areas off limits and prohibits commercial hunting. There are about three-thousand polar bears in the Chukotka region of northeastern Siberia and in Alaska. They blame poachers and commercial hunting without an agreement.
Bear hides can bring thousands of dollars.
But the organs are viewed as having medicinal value in parts of Asia. For 10 days Japan and China will be the focus of Governor Tony Knowles. Knowles is set to lead a 33-member delegation of Alaska business leaders on a mission to Japan and China beginning next Monday. Japan is Alaska's top export market while China hold strong potential for Alaska products. Knowles says this trade mission is the perfect opportunity to renew ties with business partners.