Vaquita.tv

The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus) is the world’s smallest and most endangered cetacean. They live only in the northern reaches of the Gulf of California, Mexico and scientists estimate that 200 animals remain. This shy, elusive porpoise is disappearing due to accidental entanglement in fishing nets set for shrimp.

Following the loss of the baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) in 2006, the vaquita is the next marine mammal in line for extinction.

earthOCEAN media of Melbourne, Australia produced this comprehensive, bilingual multimedia resource about Vaquita. It is an educational website and DVD to communicate everything currently known about the species.

This science-led education project explores the critical conservation status of the vaquita porpoise, the international collaborative scientific efforts to save the species from extinction, the socio-economic alternatives for local communities and what the potential loss of another cetacean species would mean to the world.

The multimedia project involves multiple levels of cooperation and collaboration. Working with scientists, government, non-governmental organizations and local communities in both the United States and Mexico to ensure scientific accuracy, credibility and relevance.

Introduction
Too often, the valuable research findings of marine scientists are only presented in papers and journals virtually unknown to the general public. Unfortunately, the communication of science to a wider audience is often not adequate for change to occur as effectively and expeditiously as it might.

The good news is, science is finding sustainable solutions, and we still have time to reverse this trend. But, is it possible for the scientific discoveries that hibernate in lecture halls and academic journals to reach a broader audience in a way that promotes conservation, but is still true to the science?

Our challenge is to set the stage for a widespread appreciation of the vaquita by creating a collaborative platform for all stakeholders in the region to access and contribute information. We intend to communicate the findings of scientists directly to the public in a way they can understand and appreciate, and that empowers them to act. Our target audience is primarily people in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico and the wider global community.

To address this challenge, Vaquita.tv is a science-based, educational tool using multimedia to communicate knowledge about vaquita and their conservation.

Videos, interviews, photographs, articles, blogs, maps and interactives attempt to tell the story of vaquita. Our focus is on three themes – The Science, The Conservation and The Community.

It is driven by the experience of scientists and shared with people in two ways:
1. A bilingual website – www.vaquita.tv
2. A freely distributed bi-lingual DVD. The DVD will target schools and communities in San Felipe, El Golfo de Santa Clara and Puerto Penasco, Mexico where physical and financial challenges can restrict access to the internet.

Content is sourced from multiple stakeholders in the region to ensure accuracy and an independent view. It will on the multimedia project “Expedition Vaquita” produced by earthOCEAN Media in October/November 2008 funded under a grant from the Ocean Foundation in Washington DC.

Goals and Objectives
Goals:
Our goal is to communicate the findings of scientists, government officials and NGOs to local communities in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico and to an international audience.

1.) An interactive website dedicated to everything “vaquita”. Vaquita.tv is an open source project where people can access information, learn about vaquita, fisheries and conservation issues, and participate. It is both an open forum, and place where people can post information about meetings, or download key conservation documents.

2.) A resource for commercial media to freely access interviews, footage and photos of Vaquita.

3.) Multiple short videos to tell a story. Initially based on Expedition Vaquita pieces filmed and produced in 2008, the online “documentary” is an attempt to engage people about the vaquita. These will contain interviews with scientists, conservationists, and community members.

4.) Press the videos onto 1000 DVDs to distribute freely in the upper gulf for people without internet access; primarily students and fishermen. We will also produce 400 copies of a 4-page education page booklet with information for kids and vaquita facts.

Through the website and DVD, our aim is to communicate potential solutions to conservation topics as recommended by the world’s leading science experts in a language that is interesting and easy to understand while posing questions about the realities of extinction. How do you convince people that a small, rarely seen mammal that is of little or no economic value is worth saving?

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES
All content will be produced with accompanying education resources that explore issues impacting vaquita and the multiple stakeholders involved. The multimedia project will focus regionally, while addressing wider global implications and possible sustainable solutions.

TARGET AUDIENCES

• Local Community in the upper gulf, Mexico to engage about vaquita issues, conservation actions and potential solutions.
• Stakeholders in Vaquita Conservation (a meeting place for scientists, managers,
  fishermen, NGOs to share information and ideas)

• International Community to learn more about the animal and the critical conservation
  issues.

“Vaquita – Last Chance for the Desert Porpoise” was funded by grants from The Ocean Foundation and the Marine Mammal Commission in the United States.