Mexico Bans Imports and Exports of Primates and Marine Mammals

[Guest guest]

Tony Smith

 

http://enn.com/aff.html?id=1119

 

Mexico Bans Imports and Exports of Primates and Marine Mammals

 

February 06, 2006 - By International Fund for Animal Welfare

 

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO. - IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare -

www.ifaw.org) announced that Mexico has banned the importation and

exportation of primates and marine mammals. The decree by the Government of

Mexico protects animals and confronts the powerful interests that traffic

and exploit these species for profit.

 

" It is an historic victory for endangered primates and marine mammals, for

environmental groups and for the general public, " said Beatriz Bugeda, of IFAW Latin America. " This decision is critical to conservation

policy in Mexico, which was seriously eroded by environmental authorities in

recent years. "

 

In 2003, the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT)

illegally authorized the importation of 28 dolphins from the Solomon Islands

to Mexican-based commercial dolphinariums. IFAW carried out an in-depth

investigation of the facts and filed several complaints to the corresponding

authorities. Biologist Diego Cobo Terrazas, then President of the

Environmental Commission of the Chamber of Representatives, also criticized

the decision and presented a bill to prohibit importation and exportation of

primates and marine mammals - such as whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea

lions, seals and manatees.

 

On January 26, 2006, the Decree, which modified the General Wildlife Act,

was published in the Official Journal of the Federation and officially

prohibited the " .Importing, exporting and re-exporting specimens of any

species of marine mammal and primate, as well as parts or products made from

them. " The law made an exception for animals authorized by the federal

government for scientific research. A portion of the law banned products

derived from marine mammals, such as pelts and decorations. This becomes a

key tool for IFAW in its historic campaign to abolish Canada's commercial

seal hunt.

 

" Mexico has officially condemned Canada's cruel slaughter practiced within

the territory of one of its partners in the North American Free Trade

Agreement (NAFTA), and in this context, placing a ban on importing marine

mammal products is a strategic step, " Ms Bugeda said.

 

In recent years, the Mexican industry of trading and exhibiting marine

mammals has grown considerably. Animals used by the industry, like dolphins,

are captured without control in the waters of countries such as Cuba, the

Solomon Islands and, more recently, Japan.

 

Dr. Yolanda Alaníz, Director of the organization for the Conservation of

Marine Mammals in Mexico (COMARINO), said, " Capturing cetaceans for

exhibition presents a serious threat not only to the welfare of the animals

themselves, but also to the conservation of the populations from which =

they

are taken. "

 

The ban on capturing marine mammals in Mexican waters was decreed in 2002.

That decree also enlarged the polygon of protection for the porpoises known

as Vaquita marina. Added to these new reforms, the new laws all contribute

to strengthen the legal framework in Mexico to protect animals. IFAW offers

special recognition to the efforts made by Biologist Cobo Terrazas and

COMARINO.

 

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) : Founded in 1969, IFAW

works around the globe to protect animals and their habitats and to create a

better world for animals and people. To learn how to help, please visit

www.ifaw.org.

 

Contact Info:

Joaquín de la Torre Ponce

IFAW Latin América

Tel. (+52-55) 5661-4859

Email: jtorreponce

 

Chris Cutter (IFAW)

US Tel: 1 (508) 744-2066

Email: ccutter