Bachelet passes law declaring Chile a whale sanctuary

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CONCÓN.- At the Piedra Oceánica de Concón, in the Region of Valparaíso, President Michelle Bachelet passed a law declaring Chile as a whale sanctuary, fulfilling a promise the Head of State had made on May 21st of this year.

The new law establishes that all waters under national sovereignty and legal jurisdiction in Chile shall be fee of cetaceous hunting and specificially indicates which activities may not be performed in relation to the animals.

At the ceremony, which was attended by several leaders and representatives from environmental organizations, the President took a moment to thank everyone who made it possible for the law to become a reality. 43 cetaceous species that swim in Chilean waters will benefit from the sanctuary.

"Thank you all very much, today Chile takes a great step forward with regards to the protection of nature and is undoubtedly leaving a grand legacy for future generations", Bachelet concluded.