Also known as “little cow” in Spanish, a vaquita [vuh-kee-tuh] (Phocoena sinus) is a species of porpoise that resides at the northern end of the Gulf of California, Mexico. Interestingly enough, they are the only type of porpoise found in warm waters. They are only five feet long and the smallest of all Cetaceans -- that is to say, animals like the whale and dolphin. These shy creatures were discovered in 1958, and perhaps due to their small size, were extremely hard to come across.
With the unfortunate title of most endangered marine animals, only about ten exist in the world. The population has continued to decline since 1958, with the most drastic dip being between 2011 and 2016 as 90% of the vaquita population disappeared. These small porpoises are on the very brink of extinction, even with conservation efforts from the Mexican government attempting to keep them alive. While one vaquita has a lifespan of at least 21 years, who’s to say how short the lifespan of the species itself is?
Who or what is killing them?
Overfishing has long plagued vaquitas. Vaquitas swim in the same waters as the totoaba fish, which are well-sought after as their swim bladders are considered delicacies in China. As a result, vaquitas easily get caught by small-scale and commercial fisheries who intend to collect totoaba for the profit of around $8,500 for each kilogram of the swim bladder. (Keep in mind that totoaba fishing is also illegal for a good reason: totoaba are endangered animals as well.) Of course, the fisheries also want to capture other fish like shrimp and mackerel, but the main goal is to fish up totoaba.
So, vaquitas are indirectly threatened by illegal totoaba fishing. When they unintentionally get caught by gillnets or other fishing gear, these mammals are drowned because they cannot surface for air. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “The only known threat to the vaquita is getting caught in fishing gear, especially gillnets.” Isn’t it sad that the only reason their numbers have been in decline is because of humans?
Totoaba fish
Why are they important?
In terms of ecology, vaquitas are crucial because they are predators and prey in their natural habitat. Thus, losing them would be disturbing the natural balance of the Gulf of California’s food chain. In addition, they are essential for maintaining biological diversity, which increases a habitat’s resilience to environmental change by halting maritime degradation (any indirect or direct damage done by humans against bodies of water). Not to mention, when one animal completely disappears from its ecosystem, its loss usually affects other animals in a snowballing chain of events.
Then, of course, vaquitas are unique, incredible creatures who deserve to exist just like any other animal. Yet, because of their shyness (unlike dolphins, they’re scared to follow boats), not much information is known about them beyond their physical appearance. Searching up “vaquita” on YouTube results solely in videos about how they are endangered -- wouldn’t it be nice to have cute or funny videos about them? Their personalities still need to be delved into thoroughly. The extinction of the vaquita will result in hundreds of missed studies, hundreds of lost videos, and future generations will wonder why we didn’t save these animals.
Like the Porpoise Conservation Society, an organization that aims to protect the world’s porpoises, says, “We must not allow a second species of cetacean to become extinct in our lifetime… Its decline is man-made and its extinction entirely preventable.” Humans caused their near-extinction. We can also reverse it.
How can we help?
It won't be easy to repopulate this species without help. Some ways to assist would be to refrain from eating totoaba at all costs, boycott Mexican shrimp, and, if you know any local shop that carries totoaba, urge them to stop carrying the endangered fish. Most importantly, look into sustainable seafood. Sustainable eating will prevent overfishing, protect essential fish habitats, reduce the strain on the environment, and result in fewer endangered fish being killed.
If you can donate, please do so! The following sites will use your funds to support the conservation of vaquitas: VAQUITACPR, Porpoise Conservation Society (you will receive a certificate if you donate/symbolically adopt a vaquita here!), and VIVA Vaquita. Please sign these petitions as well: Donate To The Vaquita Recovery Fund, SAVE THE VAQUITA AND SEA OF CORTEZ FROM EXTINCTION, Save the Vaquita.
In conclusion…
Let’s be honest now: there’s a high chance that you’ve never heard of this small, dolphin-related animal before reading this. And sadly, there’s an even higher chance that you’ll never be able to see one of them up close.
However, we must not lose hope and continue to do whatever we can to help save them. July 18 is International Save The Vaquita Day. Mark it on your calendar, tell your friends and family, spread the word about them. One voice may not be able to save them. But together? There’s a chance that we may succeed. I thank you for reading this article.
Learn more:
Tiffani Pe
The Carbon Newsprint
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