La Paz issues identification flags for whale shark tours

The government of La Paz has begun distributing 112 official identification flags to authorized tour operators to regulate whale shark watching and swimming activities in La Paz Bay. These flags serve as a visible marker for boats permitted to operate within the whale shark refuge zone, helping inspectors and tourists distinguish authorized vessels from those without proper permits.

Governor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío stated that the permits are limited exclusively to local service providers to support the livelihoods of families dependent on this seasonal activity. The initiative is part of a coordinated effort between the state government and the federal environmental authority, Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT), to protect marine biodiversity during the peak season, which typically runs from October through April.