Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The state of Quintana Roo has started the process for the environmental conservation of the bull shark. Quintana Roo began the official registration process to protect the bull shark through a geographical indication before the IMPI (Mexican Institute of Industrial Property).
Governor Mara Lezama says the process will protect the bull shark and promote its responsible use through sightings in its natural habitat.
She reported that the application has already been published in the Official Gazette of the Federation, making Quintana Roo the first state in Mexico and the first in the world to promote a geographical indication of this nature.
She explained that traditionally, geographical indications are granted to products derived from animals or foods, such as dairy and meat products. However, in this case, the proposal has a different focus, which is to protect the bull shark as a living species and turn it into an element of sustainable development.
“The most important thing is to take care of the species, protect it so that it does not become extinct, and generate an economic activity based on its conservation,” she said.
The initiative aims to shift the economic value of the bull shark from the primary sector to the tertiary sector, promoting tourism activities focused on observing the marine life, allowing tourists to appreciate them off the Quintana Roo coast.
Every year between November and March, bull sharks arrive in the waters of the Mexican Caribbean.
Governor Lezama pointed out that the proposal will contribute to environmental balance, strengthen the conservation of marine biodiversity, and generate local development opportunities for communities linked to tourism.
She said the procedure must comply with various legal stages including a period of consultation and review by interested third parties before the official recognition of the geographical indication can be finalized.
If obtained, this distinction would join other emblematic products of the region that have protection and recognition of origin, such as Quintana Roo honey, Mayan octopus, Mayan chewing gum and the designation of origin of the habanero chili.
The head of the state executive branch affirmed that this initiative represents a great step forward for the protection of the bull shark and for strengthening the tourism offering of the Mexican Caribbean.
