PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – United States President Joe Biden, on Monday, challenged Mexico to amplify their conservation efforts for the endangered vaquita and totoaba, with a potential threat of trade sanctions hanging in the balance if no progress is made within a year.
In an address to Congress, Biden elucidated that he has instructed numerous federal agencies to convene a high-level meeting with the Mexican government. The meeting’s main aim is to strategize on reducing illegal trade of totoaba and guaranteeing the conservation of the vaquita.
Biden outlined that at this meeting, the U.S. will encourage Mexico to “strengthen implementation” of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and a timeline will be set to review advancements in the protection of both species.
He also charged his government with assisting Mexico in fighting the trafficking of these species, promising training for Mexican authorities if requested.
Previously, in May, the U.S. Department of the Interior voiced concern over the trafficking of totoaba and the inadequate conservation efforts for this species.
For now, Biden announced that no trade sanctions will be imposed on Mexico on this issue. However, he has directed his Executive to compile a report on the situation for his review by July 2024 to contemplate possible retaliatory actions.
The report, Biden stated, will serve as “a basis for assessing whether additional measures are necessary, including potential trade restrictions.”
While acknowledging that Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s government has undertaken some protective measures, Biden maintained that more needs to be done. Otherwise, he warned, “the totoaba population will continue to decline, and the vaquita will soon become extinct.”
In a previous alert to Mexico last February, the U.S. considered that Mexico was contravening the environmental provisions of the trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada (T-MEC).
Last week, the Mexican Executive launched a campaign to promote actions preventing illegal fishing and trade in totoaba, and safeguarding the vaquita.
The vaquita and totoaba, both endangered species, inhabit the Gulf of California, a marine area shared by Mexico and the U.S. The Sea Shepherd organization, a marine conservation group working with both governments, noted in June that only an estimated 10 to 13 vaquita porpoises remain in existence.
PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - United States President Joe Biden, on Monday, challenged Mexico to amplify their conservation efforts for the endangered vaquita and totoaba, with a potential threat of trade sanctions hanging in the balance if no progress is made within a year.
In an address to Congress, Biden elucidated that he has instructed numerous federal agencies to convene a high-level meeting with the Mexican government. The meeting's main aim is to strategize on reducing illegal trade of totoaba and guaranteeing the conservation of the vaquita.
