Mexico City, Mexico - The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries, and Food (Sagarpa) has established a permanent ban on fishing for white sharks in Mexico, published today in the Official Gazette, a website containing all of the up-to-date information of the reforms and modifications to laws and regulations in Mexico.

The text states the fishing of white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in marine waters under federal jurisdiction, on both coasts of México, is strictly prohibited. It adds the warning that white sharks caught while fishing for other species must be released back to the sea.

Sagarpa assured that those who violate the agreement will be subject to the penalties established by the "General Law on Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture" and other applicable laws.

Among the arguments for enacting the prohibition, biological-fisheries research shows that the white shark is a slow-growing species with low reproductive potential. It adds that these animals, with small populations, need more than 14 years to double their number, making them a vulnerable resource.