Permanent ban to save tiny porpoise

The Secretariats of Agriculture (SAGARPA) and Environment (SEMARNAT) pointed out that with the permanent ban on the use of gillnets which came into force today in the Upper Gulf of California was achieved the first commitment of the agreement signed between the Federal Government, The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation , and businessman Carlos Slim to protect the tiny porpoise and achieve its recovery.

In a joint statement, the SAGARPA and SEMARNAT detailed that in addition to the actions announced, the government is responding to the measures requested by experts to eliminate the main threat to one of the smallest marine mammals in the world.

"This is the first commitment fulfilled regarding the cooperation agreement with the DiCaprio and Carlos Slim foundations to ensure the protection of the tiny porpoise and to develop economic alternatives for the communities of the Upper Gulf of California."

Both agencies noted that Mexico became the first country to ban the use of gillnets, the main cause of death of marine mammals.

They detailed that the agreement signed between SAGARPA and SEMARNAT to prohibit the use of gillnets in the Upper Gulf of California attempts to contribute to the protection and recovery of the endemic cetacean ( Phocoena sinus ), which has its habitat in this region.

The species is classified as endangered due to the threat of the illegal fishing of totoaba , which causes the incidental death of the tiny porpoise when it is trapped in the fishing nets, including the so-called "gillnets."

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