| | |  Editorials | Environmental | July 2008 
Profepa Investigates Tourist Sighting of Whale Shark
 Presidencia de la República
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Profepa to sanction 4 boats that operated without permission
Isla Contoy, Quintana Roo - Personnel from the Federal Environmental Protection Office (Profepa) in Quintana Roo recently conducted an inspection and surveillance operation on tourist boats offering whale shark observation, swimming and diving activities with whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the vicinity of Isla Contoy in Quintana Roo.
These activities in the whale sighting and feeding areas, carried out over a period of three days in waters within the flora and fauna protection area of Yum Balam and the polygon of Isla Contoy National Park, had to be suspended due to the weather conditions caused by Hurricane Dolly.
During the three days of the operation, inspectors from the Profepa Delegation located 12 boats offering observation, swimming and diving (with snorkels) activities with the whale shark.
Four of these boats (Míster Genaro, Cahuas, Gaviota and Mimí) failed to show the Profepa inspectors permits granted by the Wildlife Department of the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) that would have enabled them to undertake these tourist activities, as a result of which they will be subject to a number of administrative procedures.
In the whale shark sighting and feeding zone, another two smaller boats were spotted, belonging to the residents of Isla Holbox, who were informed of the rules and ethics code to be observed in these activities.
The activities scheduled for the whale shark sighting zone in the Isla Contoy area were suspended due to the weather conditions caused by tropical storm Dolly. These activities will be resumed as soon as possible.
The whale shark, the largest fish in the world, inhabits warm tropical and sub-tropical waters. The NOM-059-Semarnat-2001 places this shark in the "endangered" category. The Mexican government has implemented the Mexican Atlantic Whale Shark Project, known as "Domino" in honor of this playful, affectionate species, covered in patches and white and yellow horizontal and vertical lines resembling the blocks used in this popular game.
Source: Media and Communications Department. Information Department. Federal Environmental Protection Office (Profepa) |
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