The vaquita, a rare porpoise endemic to the Gulf of California, is threatened with extinction. The exact numbers are difficult to gauge, because it is difficult to track. Last year, the international vaquita recovery team (CIRVA) issued a report stating that there were likely only 97 vaquitas left in the world. This number was pulled from a range where 200 was the most optimistic figure and the lowest figure was 33. Since then, members of CIRVA have tested and tracked the vaquitas using vocalization probes. Unfortunately, their findings show the vaquita could number as few as 57.
Tulepka, a crew member of the Espy, reviews a map of the Gulf of California in order to chart the best route for the ship. July 19, 2015.
This means that the vaquitas are bordering on complete extinction.
A vaquita in the Gulf of California. © NOAA/Wikimedia Commons.
The main cause of death of these beautiful creatures are the gillnets, often used to catch another endangered species – the totoaba, whose bladders are highly prized in China as an expensive delicacy.
Greenpeace Mexico documented these illegal fishing operations off the coast of San Felipe, marked the nets, and reported their findings to the Environmental Police. The illegal nets were then removed by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection.
Illegal gillnets nets lay in a boat, July 24, 2015. © Carlos Aguilera/Greenpeace
Unfortunately, though there is a two-year fishing ban in the area put in place by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to protect the species, only two government officials are actually responsible for monitoring the perimeter of the marine reserve – which measures 11,000 km2 (around 4,000 square miles).
Greenpeace staff help the local authorities find and remove illegal fishing nets. July 24, 2015, San Felipe area, Baja California. © Carlos Aguilera/Greenpeace
During the expedition, Greenpeace also met with local fishermen in San Felipe and Santa Clara, in order to begin a dialogue and build solutions towards more sustainable fishing practices.
But the biggest challenge remaining is the end to the illegal fishing of the totoaba, the fish these gillnets are meant to catch.
After a call from Greenpeace, local authorities pull up an illegal fishing net. July 24, 2015.
“If there is no real effort to monitor the area for illegal fishing, the vaquita will disappear by 2018,” said Silvia Diaz, campaign manager for Greenpeace Mexico.
There is no time to lose in the race to save the vaquitas. If the Mexican government doesn’t do something to stop the death of the vaquita, this small porpoise could be extinct in just a couple of years. Take action and join us in #MisionVaquita.
Learn more about Greenpeace Mexico’s research: www.greenpeace.org.mx (Spanish)
