Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino

• Industrial salt production facility;
• One mile-long pier construction

Previous deliberations
Twenty-third session of the Committee – paragraph - X.25.
Twenty-third ordinary session of the Bureau – paragraph - IV. 35

New information: The President of Mexico in his statement entitled “Evaluation of the National Policy of Biodiversity Conservation” announced on 2 March 2000 that the proposed salt-works at the World Heritage site of El Vizcaino would not proceed. He underlined that the Biosphere Reserve of El Vizcaino is the largest natural protected area of Mexico and that the San Ignacio portion of the World Heritage area is one of the main breeding places of the grey whales. He acknowledged the report of the UNESCO mission, which indicates Mexico’s efforts in the conservation of grey whales.  He emphasized that the site is part of a protected area which incorporates sea and desert and which is a unique place both for its biodiversity and natural beauty. For all these characteristics and taking into account the national and worldwide importance he decided “to instruct the representatives of the Mexican Government before the Board of “Exportadora de Sal” to propose a definitive cancellation of the project”. He also underlined that the “Management Program of the Vizcano reserve…specifies different possibilities of development compatible with the conservation that could be applied in the area.” In conclusion he noted that “we are generating a new culture of appreciation, respect and care of the natural resources of our nation”. The full text, both in English and Spanish were transmitted by the Permanent Delegation of Mexico to the Centre on 14 April 2000.

The Chairperson in his letter of 7 March 2000 to the President of Mexico welcomed the President’s decision on behalf of the World Heritage Committee. The Director-General of UNESCO in his letter of 14 April 2000 also congratulated the President of Mexico for the actions taken to implement the World Heritage Convention.

The Bureau commends the State Party for all its efforts to ensure the conservation of the World Heritage values of the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino. The Bureau suggests that the World Heritage Committee commends the Mexican Government for its actions to implement the World Heritage Convention and to encourage the authorities to collaborate with the Centre and other interested partners to design, develop and implement on-site projects for demonstrating possibilities for generating employment and income for the local communities.

The President of Mexico in his statement entitled “Evaluation of the National Policy of Biodiversity Conservation” announced on 2 March 2000 that the proposed salt-works at the World Heritage site of El Vizcaino would not proceed. Both the Chairperson of the Committee and the Director-General of UNESCO welcomed this decision in heir letters, and congratulated the President of Mexico for the actions taken to implement the World Heritage Convention. In his response, the President informed the Director-General that the Environmental Impact Assessment confirmed that the whales would not have been affected. On 22 July 2000, the UN Foundation approved a US$ 2.5 million project entitled “Linking conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism at World Heritage sites” for six sites, including the two natural sites in Mexico, the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino and Sian Ka’an.   IUCN strongly supported and commended the State Party for its decision to halt the proposed salt-works at the World Heritage site of El Vizcaino. This sends a clear message to the world about the importance of conserving the natural values within World Heritage sites and demonstrates the value of focused UNESCO/IUCN monitoring missions.