Vaquita – Last Chance for the Desert Porpoise

The main threat to the vaquita is incidental catches in fishing gear, especially gillnets set for shrimp. The majority of shrimp is destined for the United States market where it is now that nation’s most popular seafood choice.

The estimated mortality from gillnet fishing is at least 39 (and maybe as many as 84) vaquitas per year, which is certainly unsustainable. 50 animals is the estimated minimum number of vaquita needed to maintain a reproductively fit population. Any lower than this means inbreeding would occur.

Vaquita aren’t the intended target of any fishery, they, as was also the case with the baiji in China, are merely the bycatch of local fishers trying to earn a living and feed their families. For the fishers of El Golfo de Santa Clara, San Felipe and Puerto Penasco, the Vaquita is collateral damage.

Conservation of the species has being attempted through the creation of a biosphere reserve and vaquita refuge, as well as the establishment of an international committee (CIRVA) convened by the Mexican government to recommend protection measures. However, implementation has been slow and the effectiveness of these measures is very much in doubt. Despite all this, the habitat appears relatively healthy and a glimmer of hope still remains for the vaquita.

Bycatch is a problem for cetaceans everywhere. An estimated 300,000 cetaceans are drowned every year in fishing gear set across the oceans, seas and rivers of the world. This equates to one cetacean death every two minutes as a direct result of our demand for seafood.