The Honorable Julia Carabias Lillo
Secretaria De Medio Ambiente Recursos
  Naturales Y Pesca
Periferico Sur No. 4209, 5 Piso
14210 Mexico, D.F.
Mexico

Dear Secretary Carabias:

The Society for Marine Mammalogy is an international scientific
organization whose membership conduct research on marine
mammalsaround the world.  The Society currently includes
approximately 1,400 marine science professionals and students
living and working in North, Central, and South America, Europe,
the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Asia, and
elsewhere.

The Committee of Scientific Advisors to the Board of Governors of
the Society acknowledges the concern for the continued health of
the Eastern North Pacific gray whale population posed by the
proposed Eportadora De Sal evaporative salt manufacturing
facility at Laguna San Ignacio.  The facility would be located
adjacent to an important lagoon breeding habitat for these
whales.  This unique wildlife area is also utilized by scores of
species of marine birds, and it supports economically important
populations of fish, and shellfish.  In recent years the Laguna
San Ignacio area is the center of a growing eco-tourism industry
that promises to bring prosperity to the local community.

As you are aware, the recovery of the Easern North Pacific
population of gray whale from endangered status was the result of
international protection since 1936, and particularly the
decision by Mexico to provide protection to this species'
breeding and calving lagoons along the west coast of Baja
California.  Scientific evidence indicates that these lagoons are
preferred habitats for gray whales, and that a large portion of
the population gives birth to their young and breed each winter
in these lagoons and adjacent coastal areas.  In recognition of
the importance of these areas, in the 1970's Mexico established
by Presidential decree gray whale refuges in the lagoons of
Guerrero Negro, Ojo De Liebre, and San Ignacio.  In addition, all
three of these areas are located within the Vizcaino Biosphere
Reserve that was established in 1988 and is also a World Heritage
Site.

The conservation of marine species, their habitats and ecosystems
need not impede economic development or prosperity.  However,
neither should development activities disadvantage marine species
and their habitats.  Scientific advice, based on biological,
social, and economic considerations, should be an integral part
of the planning and development process.  This advice must
identify critical uncertainties as well as established facts, and
inform managers, developers, and the public of the potential
consequences of alternatives before development begins.  In
addition, it is essential that research and monitoring programs
precede and accompany development to allow detection and analysis
of any changes in the affected species status or their habitats
may result from the development.  In this way, potentially
detrimental actions may be identified and avoided before problems
develop.

For these reasons, the Board of Governors of the Society for
Marine Mammalogy supports the decision of the Secretaria De Medio
Ambiente Recursos  Naturales Y Pesca (SEMARNAP) to incorporate
the expert advice of recognized international scientists in your
evaluation of the proposed Eportadora De Sal project, and to seek
the views and opinions of the residents of Baja California that
would be most affected by the proposed development. Incorporation
of this information into the decision making process is
fundamental to developing an informed decision on an issue as
important as the proposed salt manufacturing project. 

The Society for Marine Mammalogy has in its membership many
internationally recognized scientists with expertise on marine
mammals, complex marine environments, and the conservation of
marine species.  We would be pleased to provide SEMARNAP with the
names of scientific experts who would be able to provide
information about marine mammals and marine environments in areas
relevant to your specific conservation concerns. 

Sincerely yours,



Jeanette A. Thomas, Ph.D.
President