| US Files Environment Case Against Mexico Over Endangered Porpoise Mark Stevenson - The Associated Press | |
| go to original February 12, 2022 |
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The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office has filed the first environmental complaint against Mexico for failing to protect the critically endangered vaquita marina, the world’s smallest porpoise.
The office said it had asked for “environment consultations” with Mexico, the first such case it has filed under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade pact. Consultations are the first step in the dispute resolution process under the trade agreement, which entered into force in 2020. If not resolved, it could eventually lead to trade sanctions.
Mexico’s government has largely abandoned attempts to enforce a fishing-free zone around an area where the last few vaquitas are believed to live. Nets set illegally for another fish, the totoaba, drown vaquitas.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that “USTR is committed to protecting the environment and is requesting this consultation to ensure Mexico lives up to its USMCA environment commitments,“ adding “We look forward to working with Mexico to address these issues.”
Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said “this is a big move that could save these little porpoises from extinction.”
“Illegal fishing is out of control in Mexican waters, and the vaquita is paying the highest possible price,“ Uhlemann said in a statement. “We’re glad the U.S. government is taking Mexico to task for violating its environmental obligations and threatening the vaquita’s existence.”
Mexico’s Economy Department said after the complaint was announced Thursday that “The Mexican government reaffirms its commitment to the proper implementation of the USMCA and the responsibilities it has within it.”
It was the second stinging rebuke in less than a week for Mexico, which has done a poor job controlling the environmental practices of its fishing boats.
See the original at The Star
Related: US Activates Trade Pact Measure for Failing to Protect Endangered Porpoise (Mexico News Daily)
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