By Camilo Thompson | AIDA Marine Attorney
From the coasts of Baja California to the shallows of the Caribbean, Mexico is home to an incredible array of reefs.
Though they are protected internationally, Mexico has no law that universally protects these rich ecosystems, which are increasingly threatened by unsustainable coastal development and climate change.
In May, the Mexican Senate decided to do something about that. Their Special Climate Change Commission began to create a law that would serve exclusively to protect the nation’s many reefs.
On behalf of AIDA, I joined their meetings to contribute to its development alongside colleagues from Wildcoast and scientists, academics, and community members who benefit from the services reefs provide.
Together we drew the Senate’s attention to the serious threats facing Mexico’s reefs and those who depend on them.
As human activity and climate change continue to endanger coastal and marine biodiversity worldwide, the Commission’s willingness to pursue legislation to protect Mexico’s marine ecosystems signifies real progress.
The Commission also agreed on the need to provide special protections to endangered species of coral, and acknowledged the danger posed by the Port of Veracruz Expansion project.
While still early in the process, the decision is a step in the right direction in protecting marine biodiversity on Mexico’s coast.
We’ll continue to monitor the legislative progress and provide feedback, in hopes that this important idea becomes a reality for Mexico’s reefs.
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