BOGOTA - Bio-piracy, pollution and the illicit use of microorganisms will be punished in Colombia as environmental crimes as of July 24, when a new penal code enters into force.

Those found guilty of illegal exploitation of natural resources may receive a prison sentence of two to five years. The same sanction will be in effect for environmental contamination caused by exploiting mineral deposits.

In addition, the violation of international borders for the illicit exploitation of natural resources carries a prison sentence of four to eight years.

HAVANA - A multidisciplinary team studying the contamination levels of the Tesoro Lagoon, the largest body of fresh water in Cuba, warned in June that the status of the nature reserve is discouraging, but can still be reversed.

Located 250 km southeast of Havana, the Tesoro Lagoon covers more than a thousand hectares of the Zapata marsh and serves as a control mechanism for this wetland, considered the most important of the Caribbean islands.

The natural reservoir has been contaminated with fossil fuels and pesticides. Foreign species have also been introduced into its ecosystem, reported José Sánchez, representative of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment at the Zapata marsh.

QUITO - Ecuador's Ministry of Environment proposes to remove the oil tanker 'Jessica' from the coast of the Galápagos islands. The vessel ran aground there in January and spilled 600,000 liters of fuel into the ocean.

Minister Lourdes Luque de Jaramillo announced in June that a study was underway to determine the best manner to remove the ship. She said the local fishing community is ready and willing to move Jessica, take it apart and use the salvaged material.

Environmental groups accused the government of negligence in the case of the tanker accident off the island of San Cristóbal as officials delayed several days before taking measures to halt the spread of the oil spill or to protect the natural surroundings.

MEXICO CITY - Dolphins, seals and other marine mammals that are the stars of entertainment centers in Mexico will receive legal protection against mistreatment.

The Secretariat of the Environment has established regulations for the capture, transport, exhibition, training and maintenance of sea mammals in response to reports of abuse and even deaths of some animals at the hands of the people responsible for their care.

However, the rules do not ensure total protection because there are not enough inspectors to monitor compliance, warned animal defense activist María Elena Hoyos.