President Michelle Bachelet
Republic of Chile
La Moneda N 1002-1298
Santiago, Chile

RE: Blue whale sanctuary in Patagonia

Dear President Bachelet,

Congratulations on your recent election as Chile's first female president. I, along with Chilean environmentalists, am greatly encouraged by your pledge to create a ministry of environment, a vice ministry of natural resources and biodiversity, an environmental superintendent and a national parks service.

While these changes should improve Chile's environmental management in the future, I urge you to act now by creating a blue whale sanctuary in the Aysen region of Patagonia and giving permanent protection to its blue whale population.

The number of blue whales off the Patagonia coast has increased significantly over the last 30 years, primarily due to the area's rich biodiversity and the absence of industrial development. This thriving blue whale nursery would be irreversibly damaged by the industrialization of the Patagonia coast. By creating a whale sanctuary, you can help safeguard one of Chile's greatest natural treasures and showcase to the world your commitment to marine mammal protection.

Please protect Patagonia's blue whales by creating a marine protected park for this magnificent species.