Protecting wildlife from pollution

The Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (AEPS) was established June 1991, at a Ministerial meeting of the eight circumpolar nations. At the same meeting, The Programme for the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) and The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) were founded within the framework of AEPS. CAFF aims to conserve Arctic flora and fauna, their diversity and their habitats; protect the Arctic ecosystem; improve conservation management, laws, regulations and practices for the Arctic; integrate Arctic interests into global conservation fora; integrate indigenous peoples and their knowledge into their work. AMAP aims to examine the problem of anthropogenic pollution in the region, particularly contamination through persistent organics, heavy metals and radionuclides. Other concerns or activities of AMAP include acidification, climate change, increased UV radiation, and biological effects on flora, fauna and humans, as well as the harmonization of national monitoring data, the assessment of Arctic environment, and the establishment of data centres for monitoring, emission and discharge data.