The world’s smallest marine mammal has only 30 specimens left.
Vaquita is the world’s smallest porpoise marine mammal and despite the best efforts of international conservation and local conservation groups, the species is almost close to extinction. Experts from the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita, think that its number have decreased to just 30 specimens.
The most significant decrease in the numbers of the marine mammal occurred between 2015 and 2016, almost by 50 percent. This number goes up to a 90 percent drop over the past five years. Conservations stated that the main threat to their existence are gill nets. These types of nets are mostly used to capture fish and shrimp, as well as the endangered totoaba fish. The swim bladder of this marine animals is considered a delicacy in several parts of Asia and thus sells accordingly, with around $5,000 for just a pound.
Although the vaquita is not directly targeted, the marine mammal gets entangled in the growing number of nets meant for the totoaba and eventually drowns. According to the latest CIRVA report published in November, the situation has gradually gotten worse for the world’s smallest marine mammal despite the existing measure for its protection and enforcement efforts.
The vaquitas are the only species of porpoise to live in the warm waters of the Gulf of California. In response to the situation of the animal, both the U.S. and the Mexican government have increased their efforts to combat illegal fishing in the area including Navy patrols and temporarily banning the use of gill nets in the waters of the vaquita.
Mexican conservation officials hope to save the endangered marine mammal by capturing several specimens and transporting them to a protected area where they can breed in safety. This plan will involve experts in acoustic monitoring and in the capture of porpoise. The trained dolphins of the US Navy will also be involved in this preservation effort.
Unfortunately, the plan does carry some inherent risks as the animals have never been kept in captivity and some believe that they will die during the relocation attempt. Groups like Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund have urged the Mexican government to reconsiders its strategy.
Image source: Flickr
