Tiny Vaquita on Brink: Extinction Looms

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.