GULF OF ULLOA PROTEST

Transcription

1 The Fishing Cooperative of Puerto Chale S.C.L GULF OF ULLOA PROTEST Against prospecting and other offshore mining activities in the Gulf of Ulloa, which threaten to affect our fishing and tourist industries

2 As a result of the request for intervention from the Minister of FOREIGN RELATIONS ECONOMY,SEMARNAT,CONAPESCA. In his capacity as supplier of offshore mineral resources, participating in the seminar: "Mexico's Opportunities for Deep Seabed Mining" held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) in November 2013, he stated that Mexico has played a leading role in creating and strengthening the International Seabed Authority.

3 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) announced that today was the inauguration of the seminar on Opportunities for Mexico in International Seabed Mining and Deep Sea Exploration. Participating in the event were: Chancelor Jose Antonio Meade Kuribreña; the general secretary of seabeds, Nii A. Odunton; Economics Minister, Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal; Rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, José Narro Robles; the CEO of the National Council of Science and Technology, Enrique Cabrero; and Vice President of International Affairs at Grupo Mexico, Juan Rebolledo Gout. The seminar analyzed the opportunities for development Mexico have in this area. This was in virtue of the proximity of our country to maritime areas, outside national jurisdiction, where prospection, exploration, and exploitation of the seabed and its resources are performed. During his speech, Chancellor Meade spoke of the importance of this seminar and said that exploring the international seabed is a very real part of this country, so you should gamble on this area.

4 WE HAVE FAITH IN THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE ECONOMICS MINISTER The important thing, according to the Economics Minister, is to mine it while respecting the environment, in a rational and sustainable manner. At the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) in the seminar "Mexico s opportunities for International Deep Seabed Mining", November 11, 2013

5 OUR LEGAL FOUNDATIONS The Specific guarantees about equality: Articles 1, 2, 4, 12, and 13 of the Constitution of the United Mexican States, establish the condition that all citizens are placed in a position of equality.

6 OUR SOCIAL STANCE As inhabitants of the most traditional fishing region in Baja California Sur, we, the inhabitants of fishing corridor San Carlos - Las Barrancas -San Juanico, state our position and share our thoughts and hopes with the people of Mexico. With regards to the prospecting and offshore mining activities in the Gulf of Ulloa, with the aim of protecting the legitimate interests of those of us who want to work and produce within the law and on behalf of the country and the state. This coastline is essential to the local economy, and its conservation goes hand in hand with the protection of the marine environment. We will be the first victims of any aggression against nature, so if anyone is interested in the environment, it is us. We live nature every day with our children, and as fishermen.

7 MINING CONCESSIONS IN OUR FISHING ZONE The offshore area was awarded by way of concessions for 50 years by the Ministry of Economy to three mining companies: Exploraciones Oceánicas, S de R.l de C.V. June 2012 with an area of 268,238,6159 hectares and named "Don Diego" with the file number 594 and title , Fosforitas del Pacifico SD. S.A de C.V.. September 8, 2010, surface area: Hectares and called "FOSPAC" file number 454 and title , Corporación Fosfórica Mexicana S.A. de C.V. January 31, 2012 surface area: Hectares and called "PHOSMEX RED" file number4/2/301 and title

8 MINING CONCESSIONS IN OUR FISHING ZONES

9 PRECEDENTS IN GLOBAL OFFSHORE MINING The planned mining project in the waters of the Gulf of Ulloa is similar to the Chatham Rock Phosphate project for Chatan Rise in New Zealand, and involves the dredging of millions of tons of seabed to extract phosphates, and the subsequent dumping of sediments back into the sea. Fishermen celebrate a temporary ban on phosphate mining NAMIBIA Friday, October 04, 2013, 23:40 (GMT + 9) The Namibian Government has decided to suspend plans to develop phosphate mining in the country for 18 months, until a study is produced that shows there will be no adverse effects to the marine environment.

10 The Puerto Chale Fishing Cooperative Opposes Prospecting and offshore mining activities in the Gulf of Ulloa, until a study showing that they will not have a negative impact on the marine environment is produced. We require a full economic assessment and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). We are concerned about the long lasting and harmful effects that phosphate mining in this country will have on the fishing grounds. These are the source of our livelihood. We demand that changes to marine life and the guarantees provided by the mining companies can be tested. And the mining is carried out in a rational and sustainable way with respect to the environment.

11 WE ARE WORRIED! This is an experimental operation that has never been attempted before; because the environmental impact on the seabed and our fishing areas cannot be predicted. The effects of the sounds produced while prospecting, and effects on the behavior of marine physiology and biodiversity, as well as any displacement of fisheries resources.

12 WE ARE SEEKING A dialog in order to rationally exploit the fishing and mineral resources from the seabed. An adequate legal framework, sustainable technology, participation of the private sector, leadership from the authorities, research centers to develop technical knowhow and new legal frameworks are all required. Along with the Fishing Communities Social License.

13 The Fishing Cooperative of Puerto Chale. Are opposed to the way in which national and international environmental organizations act with impunity. Deepening the problem without offering solutions. The Fishing Cooperative of Puerto Chale has all the necessary tools to defend its members' interests, and does not need their help.

14 The Fishing Cooperative of Puerto Chale Requests an equal dialog NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE MINING AND FISHING INDUSTRY TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIND COMMON GROUND AND MOVE FORWARDS

15 The Fishing Cooperative of Puerto Chale is not against phosphate mining; in fact, we believe that we must exploit all our resources, but it must be developed in the spirit of collaboration in the 21st century, in order to meet the challenges that face humanity: To practice sustainable management of the deep sea, to understand and manage the ecosystem vulnerabilities; to explore its many resources but maintain the integrity of its ecosystems", AMADO NAVARRO HIGUERA ERNESTO VILLELA AGUILAR January 2014 SOCIAL LEADERS OF GULF OF ULLOA BCS MOVEMENT