Chile’s coastline was vote unanimously as a whale sanctuary. The vote is a major step in protecting whales from hunting in Chilean waters – 200 miles from the coast, along the entire length of the country. The Chamber’s Natural Resources and Environment Committee had approved the bill without any dispute in the presence of Environment Minister Ana Lya Uriarte was present for both votes.
The vote stands 58-0 in the full Chamber of Deputies came after lobbying by several members of the Natural Resources Committee. After voting the deputies emphasized the importance of protecting whales in particular, marine fauna, and their ecosystems in general. Socialist Party (PS) Dep. Fulvio Rossi said during the legislative session that it is a tremendous and important change for the environmental conscience of our country.
According to Rossi this will spark a change in our laws and in the behavior of the various sectors of Chilean government. He added that Chilean ministries give far too little attention to the defense of our environment. Independent Democratic Uniion (UDI) Dep. Enrique Estay urged his colleagues to use the creation of the whale sanctuary as a jumping-off point for protections of other species, including krill, the main source of food for many whale species.
According to Estay the Environment Ministry should come forward for research policy mechanisms which might effectively protect Antarctic krill. Party for Democracy (PPD) Dep. Patricio Hales told that it is necessary to dwell upon the work of the Chilean Cetacean Conservation Center.
