For over 40 years, polar bears have been on international agendas as one of the most important charismatic megafauna species of the Arctic. Unfortunately, adaptive management action programs have not yet been implemented that can address the critical problem of loss of sea ice habitat for polar bears across multiple country boundaries. While addressing the root causes of loss of sea ice is
multifaceted as multiple drivers of climate change remain far from the Arctic, a global plan and coordinated approach for assessing and managing polar bear subpopulations in Arctic LMEs is needed and required. Given that polar bears roam across vast lands and waters, a holistic perspective through EBM is appropriate to address the issues affecting polar bear survival.
The LME approach is a means to achieve EBM and through the GEF process, countries can address the imminent challenges to sustainability of polar bear subpopulations. The TDA and SAP provide a practical process for arctic countries to achieve strategic actions that can be applied across the 14 arctic LMEs and within the boundaries of the five nations responsible for polar bear management. Continued application, implementation, and renewal of EBM for polar bears on a timely basis would ensure that critical linkages between the LME modules are regularly updated and revised as appropriate to the changing conditions of the Arctic. Consequently, the LME approach would serve as an adaptable process that encourages sustainable management of polar bear
subpopulations.