Home / Environment / Tiny Vaquita on Brink: Extinction Looms
Tiny Vaquita on Brink: Extinction Looms
2 Dec
Summary
- Fewer than 10 vaquitas remain globally.
- Illegal gillnet fishing for totoaba is the main threat.
- Conservationists urge alternative fishing gear and demand reduction.
The vaquita, a small porpoise found only in the northern Gulf of California, faces imminent extinction, with fewer than 10 individuals remaining. Their drastic decline, a 98% drop over three decades, is primarily caused by illegal gillnet fishing nets set for the endangered totoaba fish. The totoaba's swim bladder fetches high prices in China, leading to vaquitas becoming fatal bycatch.
Despite bans on gillnet fishing and totoaba trade, the destructive practice persists, fueled by organized crime. Conservation efforts are now concentrating on developing and incentivizing the use of vaquita-safe fishing gear among local communities. Simultaneously, initiatives are underway in China to reduce the demand for totoaba swim bladders, a crucial step in curbing the illegal trade.
Mexico's government is under review for its protection efforts, but new administrations signal a potential acceleration in conservation initiatives. International pressure and collaboration between Mexico, China, and the US are seen as vital for combating the illegal trade and safeguarding the last remaining vaquitas. Recent signs, like the identification of calves, offer a glimmer of hope that stabilization may be occurring.
