25th April 2018
By LoveEarth
Comments On Tuesday, April 25th, the chamber of deputies were able to obtain the approval of reforms to the General Wildlife Law, which will eventually prohibit dolphinariums and marine mammal shows in Mexico.
This ban was first brought to fruition last year but wasn’t able to gain approval until multiple programs were suspended earlier this year for lack of quorum. (not enough members showed to the meetings to make the proceedings of those meetings valid)
“In particular, the initiative that we presented seven months ago looks to prohibit the captivity or use of all species of marine mammals, including whales, dolphins, and manatees, in fixed or itinerant shows,” said Deputy Javier Herrera, deputy coordinator of the Green Party of Mexico.
According to the ruling, the owners of all dolphins in captivity, 70 percent of which are in the state of Quintana Roo, will have 30 days after the law is enforced to prepare an inventory and deliver it to the Secretary of Environment for validation.
Once validated, the inventoried species may remain in captivity for the rest of their lives to fulfill the purposes for which the owners received authorization. The females may reproduce once while in captivity as long as the environmental regulations to treat the animals in a dignified and respectful manner are upheld, so it is estimated that dolphinariums will continue to operate in Mexico for the next 30 years or more. Once these dolphins pass there will never again be authorization to hold any dolphin in captivity unless it is for a rescue/rehabilitation efforts.
Conservation-oriented research, carried out by higher education institutions and in accordance with applicable regulations, are exempt from the new reforms.
Read More: BanderasNews
By LoveEarth
