The Maritime Executive. (March 7, 2020) “U.S. Government Expands Mexican Ban to Save the Vaquita” Retrieved March 8, 2020 https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/u-s-government-expands-mexican-seafood-ban-to-save-vaquita

 

The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) obligates that the United States ban the importation of seafood that uses fishing gear that kills marine life beyond the national standard. Recently, under this act the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service declared an embargo on Mexican seafood originating from the habitat of vaquita porpoise. The endangerment of the vaquita porpoise began in the 1990s and has only worsened since then. Now, with the expansion of the use of gill nets to fish in the Gulf of Mexico and the northern Gulf of California, the species native habitat, it is estimated that there are only 10 of these porpoises remaining. The ban expands across various species such as anchovies, herrings, sardines, mackrols, shrimp, and other profitable seafood. An American committee under the international agreement CITES is investigating further trade penalties for Mexico in the future if the illegal practice of using gillnets continues. 

 

Although the Mexican government won’t take action, this importation ban is a good first step in working towards eliminating such dangerous fishing practices that lead to the vaquita’s endangerment in the first place. By decreasing American demand, United States conservationists will hopefully encourage the Mexican government to take more action against the species’ extinction in which eventually they can continue trading with the United States. This situation is a good example of the the issues caused by countries that won’t cooperate with international conservation efforts. I do think however that the United States response was appropriate in opposing such practices as the seafood industry in Mexico is essential to its economy.