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Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino

Mexico
Factors affecting the property in 1996*
  • Localised utilities
  • Marine transport infrastructure
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Industrial salt production facility;
  • One mile-long pier construction
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1996
Requests approved: 0
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 1996**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1996

At its nineteenth session, the Bureau discussed a report about a project for industrial salt production at the site and its potential threats to the whale population. A letter, noting the concerns of the Bureau about this project, was addressed to the Mexican authorities, but no response was received. At its last session, the Committee was informed by the Delegate of Mexico that the project was still under study.

Action Required

The Bureau urged the State Party to keep the Committee informed about the industrial salt production project and to ensure the integrity of the site.

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1996

At its nineteenth session, the Bureau discussed a report about a project for industrial salt production at the site and its potential threats to the whale population. A letter, noting the concerns of the Bureau about this project, was addressed to the Mexican authorities, but no response was received. At its last session, the Bureau was informed by the Delegate of Mexico that the National Institute of Ecology (INE) created a Committee comprising national and foreign experts, which held a first meeting in March 1996, participated in a public conference attended by nearly 300 persons and presented 42 documents to define aspects to be included in the new environmental impact study. The Minister of the Environment, Natural Resources and Fish indicated, through the INE, that the proposal could only be authorized on the understanding that it respects the legislation and the ecological standards in force.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 1996

The Bureau may wish to adopt the following text and transmit it to the Committee for noting:

"The Bureau urges the State Party to keep the Committee informed about the industrial salt production project and the status of the environmental impact study and to ensure the integrity of the site."

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1996
20 BUR IV.7
Whale Sanctuary of El Viscaino (Mexico)

The Bureau urged the State Party to keep the Committee informed about the proposed expansion of the industrial salt production project and to ensure the integrity of the site.

The Delegate of Mexico informed the Bureau that in July 1994 the ESSA Salt Mining Company submitted to the National Institute of Ecology an environmental impact study proposal to extend its installations. This proposal was refused by the National Institute of Ecology (INE) in February 1995. On 23 June 1995 the ESSA Company expressed interest in submitting a new study for evaluation by the INE.

In 26 February 1996, INE created a Committee comprising seven national and foreign experts, which held a first meeting in March 1996, participated in a public conference attended by nearly 300 persons and presented 42 documents to define aspects to be included in the new environmental impact study.

The Minister of the Environment, Natural Resources and Fish (SEMARNAP), has indicated, through the National Institute of Ecology, that the proposal could only be authorized on the understanding that it respects the legislation and the ecological standards in force.

20 COM VII.D.34
SOC: Whale Sanctuary of El Viscaino (Mexico)

VII.34 Whale Sanctuary of El Viscaino (Mexico)

The Bureau at its twentieth extraordinary session recalled discussions held at its nineteenth session, concerning a report on a project for industrial salt production at the site and its potential threats to the whale population. At its twentieth extraordinary session, the Bureau was informed by the Delegate of Mexico that the National Institute of Ecology (INE) created a Committee comprising national and foreign experts, which held a first meeting in March 1996, participated in a public conference attended by nearly 300 persons and presented 42 documents to define aspects to be included in the new environmental impact study. The Minister of the Environment, Natural Resources and Fish indicated, through the INE, that the proposal could only be authorized on the understanding that it respects the legislation and the ecological standards in force.

IUCN informed the Bureau about a recent report which indicated that private development was proceeding without fully following the Mexican Environmental Impact Assessment standards. The Bureau invited the State Party to inform the Committee by 15 April 1997 about the industrial salt production proj ect and the status of the environmental impact study and to ensure the integrity of the site.

At the twentieth session of the Committee the Delegate of Mexico and the Director of the Whale Sanctuary of El Viscaino provided addi tional information that: (a) industrial salt production has not been authorized, and (b) a Scientific Committee to review the si tuation has been established by the Ministry of Environment. The Committee took note of this report.

Report year: 1996
Mexico
Date of Inscription: 1993
Category: Natural
Criteria: (x)
Exports

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


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