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SC/69A/WW/07
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Resource ID
20071
Access
Open
Document Number
SC/69A/WW/07
Full Title
Swim-with-cetaceans in Mexico, a risky and illegal activity
Author
Viloria-Gómora, Lorena, Rojas-Bracho, Lorenzo, And Urbán R., Jorge.
Authors Summary
In Mexico, the whale-watching of large species of cetaceans is controlled by the Official Mexican Standard 131, which clearly establishes the prohibition of swimming with whales. Any company that offers swim-with-whales or swim-with-dolphins without a non-extractive use permit would incur illegality. Despite this legal situation, swim-with some species of dolphins (Tursiops truncatus, Stenella attenuata, and Stenella longirostris) has been a tourist activity for more than 20 years following some of the international standards for swimming with cetaceans. In recent years, the “Sea Safari” also emerged in Baja California Sur, offering to swim with killer whales (Orcinus orca). During this activity, several vessels surround the group of orcas, and people jump into the water, swim, and dive. In such events, there is no discrimination in the type of killer whale group. It is important to recommend developing and implementing regulations by the Mexican Government to manage this situation. These activities of "swimming with cetaceans" should be detained or, after evaluating the impact of these activities on cetaceans, a Mexican Standard should be established.
Publisher
IWC
Publication Year
2027
Abstract
In Mexico, the whale-watching of large species of cetaceans is controlled by the Official Mexican Standard 131, which clearly establishes the prohibition of swimming with whales. Any company that offers swim-with-whales or swim-with-dolphins without a non-extractive use permit would incur illegality. Despite this legal situation, swim-with some species of dolphins (Tursiops truncatus, Stenella attenuata, and Stenella longirostris) has been a tourist activity for more than 20 years following some of the international standards for swimming with cetaceans. In recent years, the “Sea Safari” also emerged in Baja California Sur, offering to swim with killer whales (Orcinus orca). During this activity, several vessels surround the group of orcas, and people jump into the water, swim, and dive. In such events, there is no discrimination in the type of killer whale group. It is important to recommend developing and implementing regulations by the Mexican Government to manage this situation. These activities of "swimming with cetaceans" should be detained or, after evaluating the impact of these activities on cetaceans, a Mexican Standard should be established.