Biden gives Mexico a year to better protect the endangered vaquita porpoise and totoaba fish
Several U.S. agencies will monitor Mexico’s enforcement actions, which will then be used to assess whether additional measures, including trade restrictions, are needed.
The vaquita is the most endangered type of porpoise.Paula Olson / NOAA via AP file
July 21, 2023, 3:36 PM CDT
By Albinson Linares, Noticias Telemundo
MEXICO CITY — U.S. President Joe Biden is urging Mexico to step up conservation efforts for the endangered vaquita porpoise and the totoaba fish, threatening possible trade sanctions if there no results are evident within a year.
In a letter to the U.S. Congress sent Monday, Biden said that for now he's not directing the Treasury Department to impose trade measures on Mexican products because the Mexican government is implementing protective measures.
But he stated that various U.S. agencies "will monitor Mexico’s enforcement actions and progress and provide me with a report not later than 1 year from the date of this notification on whether these actions have reduced the illegal harvest and trafficking of totoaba and enhanced the conservation of vaquita."
A vessel deployed to help on the efforts to save the endangered vaquita porpoise sails during a presentation to the media near San Felipe, Mexico, on Jan. 24.Guillermo Arias / AFP via Getty Images file
More:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/biden-urges-mexico-better-protect-endangered-vaquita-porpoise-totoaba-rcna95542