The Inuvialuit of Canada and the Inupiat of the United States,
Noting that both groups have traditionally harvested a portion of polar bears from the same population in the southern Beaufort Sea;
And Noting that the continued hunting of polar bears is essential to maintain the dietary, cultural, and economic base of the groups;
And Noting that the maintenance of a sustained harvest for traditional users in perpetuity requires that the number of polar bears taken annually not exceed the productivity of the population;
And Noting that the International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears provides for cooperation in the research and management of shared populations;
And Noting that nothing in this Agreement shall be read to abrogate the responsibilities of Federal, Provincial or State authorities under existing or future statutes;
And Noting that the Inuvialuit and the Inupiat will have a long-term fundamental influence on the maintenance and use of this resource and that the efforts of other parties will also be required to ensure effective conservation;
Have agreed as follows: