Organizations express doubts regarding agreement to save tiny porpoise

The agreement between the Mexican government, the Carlos Slim Foundation, and Leonardo DiCaprio only reflects good intentions , since the tiny porpoise's protection has been “ partial and tempora l” for the last 3 years , declared civil organizations.

Although the organizations labeled as “ positive ” the addition of more persons to the protection of the tiny porpoise, they see the government's promises with skepticism , for it has made the same promises without any results .

They also considered “ unfortunate ” that the federal government acts when celebrities and businessmen request it and not because it is its responsibility. “The announced commitments are good, but they should have been implemented at the beginning of the administration .”

The message signed by organizations like Greenpeace, the Center for Biological Diversity, Comarino , among others, declares that in the Memorandum of Understanding the Mexican government undertakes to ban night fishing in the porpoise's habitat , an action which President Peña Nieto also promised in a meeting with former President Barack Obama last year and that the National Fisheries Commission (Conapesca) has not complied with until now.

They remarked that the commitment must be reflected in fishing regulations . They considered a relevant progress the involvement of local communities to promote sustainable fisheries.

It was also highlighted that corruption is another issue which has not been addressed. They argued that although vigilance has increased in the Gulf of California , totoaba fishing still continues.

In addition, the Conapesca has been absent in the signing of the Memorandum and it is the authority in charge of many of the measures to protect the tiny porpoise.

“There are many “ghost fishing nets” which represent a potential risk for the porpoise since it can be trapped and drown. When are these threats going to be eliminated?” claimed the organizations.

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