Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: "Harvest is managed adaptively to ensure viable, sustainable subpopulations and productive management units while allowing harvest by Indigenous peoples and take of bears for defense of human life and property. A research and monitoring regime, including population monitoring and analysis of harvest statistics, allows for ongoing evaluation and adjustment of management. The management system is responsive and can adjust harvest levels quickly as needed. Population monitoring occurs on a regular basis and the timing of monitoring is dependent on multiple factors, including the monitoring method used, management objectives, conservation concerns, and the age and quality of available data. Harvest reporting includes all human-caused mortalities, hunting or defense of life or property."

Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: "Effective management of polar bear in Canada is an objective of governments, co-management bodies, and harvesters. A sustainable long-term harvest is dependent on viable wildlife populations thereby promoting a stewardship attitude towards both the polar bear and its habitat. In general, harvest activities support livelihoods of northern Indigenous peoples and assist in managing the conservation of polar bears and the reduction of human-bear conflict. Trade incentives are also important in engaging local communities in sustainable harvest practices. Some Indigenous peoples with the right to harvest, benefit from the harvest of polar bear for skins, meat, traditional activities and guided hunt income. In Nunavut and Northwest Territories, some of the tags may be allocated to non-Indigenous peoples for sport hunting purposes if the hunt is guided by an Indigenous person using traditional methods of hunting. In this way, the majority of the money generated by hunting activities goes to northern Indigenous communities that have few other sources of income and value-added revenue. Polar bear harvest and defense kill data also provide important information on location, movements, genetics, diet, health contaminants and other characteristics of polar bear subpopulations that might not otherwise be available. These harvest data are an essential supplement to regular systematic population surveys and other research programs."

Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: "Effective management of polar bear in Canada is an objective of governments, co-management bodies, and harvesters. A sustainable long-term harvest is dependent on viable wildlife populations thereby promoting a stewardship attitude towards both the polar bear and its habitat. In general, harvest activities support livelihoods of northern Indigenous peoples and assist in managing the conservation of polar bears and the reduction of human-bear conflict. Trade incentives are also important in engaging local communities in sustainable harvest practices. Some Indigenous peoples with the right to harvest, benefit from the harvest of polar bear for skins, meat, traditional activities and guided hunt income. In Nunavut and Northwest Territories, some of the tags may be allocated to non-Indigenous peoples for sport hunting purposes if the hunt is guided by an Indigenous person using traditional methods of hunting. In this way, the majority of the money generated by hunting activities goes to northern Indigenous communities that have few other sources of income and value-added revenue. Polar bear harvest and defense kill data also provide important information on location, movements, genetics, diet, health contaminants and other characteristics of polar bear subpopulations that might not otherwise be available. These harvest data are an essential supplement to regular systematic population surveys and other research programs."