World’s Most Endangered Porpoise Resists Extinction in Mexico Mark Stevenson - Associated Press
go to original June 8, 2023

The Vaquita: The world's cutest and most endangered sea mammal (Free the Ocean)

Against all odds, the remaining handful of Mexico’s endangered vaquita porpoises are holding on in their only habitat in the Gulf of California, according to a new research expedition report released Wednesday.

Experts on the expedition estimate they saw from 10 to 13 of the tiny, shy, elusive porpoises during nearly two weeks of sailing in the gulf last month.

That is a similar number to those seen in the last such expedition in 2021. Because they are so small and elusive, many of the sightings through powerful binoculars are categorized as probable or likely. The animals also emit “clicks” that can be heard through acoustic monitoring devices.

Experts from Mexico, the conservation group Sea Shepherd and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said they sighted at least one and probably two calves, as immature vaquitas are known, raising hopes for the survival of the world’s most endangered marine mammal.

They said there may be more vaquitas out there, since the voyage covered only part of the creature’s habitat in the gulf, also known as the Sea of Cortez. It lives nowhere else, and the species cannot be captured, held or bred in captivity.

But it is far too soon to celebrate. Illegal gillnets have trapped and killed vaquitas for decades; the population has declined from nearly 600 vaquitas in 1997.

Fishermen set the nets to catch totoaba, a fish whose swim bladder is considered a delicacy in China and can fetch thousands of dollars per pound (kilogram).

While the Mexican government has made some efforts to stop the net fishing — like sinking concrete blocks with hooks to snag nets — the fishermen still appear to have the upper hand, entering the protected are to fish on a daily basis and even sabotaging monitoring efforts.

Read the rest at Associated Press

Related: Clear Signs of Progress in Protecting Endangered Vaquita (Sea Shepherd)

Related: Vaquitas Continue to Surprise the World With Their Tenacity (IUCN - SCC)

  Learn about EarthJustice

  Learn about Marine Mammal Research Group

  Learn about COBI - Rebels of the Sea

  Learn about Deep Blue Conservancy

  Learn about Oceana Mexico

  Learn about Oceanus A.C.

  Learn about Pronatura Noroeste