Against the odds, world’s most endangered porpoise resists extinction in Mexico’s Gulf of California

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In the face of daunting challenges, the vaquita porpoises, the most endangered in the world, are managing to survive in Mexico’s Gulf of California, as revealed by a recent report from a research expedition.

During a nearly two-week sailing expedition in the gulf last month, experts estimated that they spotted approximately 10 to 13 of these small, elusive porpoises. Given their size and elusiveness, many of the sightings were categorized as probable or likely when observed through powerful binoculars. The porpoises also emit distinctive “clicks” that can be detected using acoustic monitoring devices.

Collaborating on the expedition were experts from Mexico, the conservation group Sea Shepherd, and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They reported sighting at least one, and possibly two, calves (immature vaquitas), raising hopes for the survival of this critically endangered marine mammal.

There is a possibility that more vaquitas remain in their habitat, as the expedition only covered a portion of the gulf, known as the Sea of Cortez, which is the porpoises’ sole habitat. These porpoises cannot be captured, held, or bred in captivity.

However, it is premature to celebrate this finding. Vaquitas have been trapped and killed by illegal gillnets for many years, resulting in a drastic decline in their population from nearly 600 in 1997. Fishermen use these nets to catch totoaba, a fish whose swim bladder is highly valued as a delicacy in China, fetching exorbitant prices.

Although the Mexican government has made some efforts to curb net fishing, such as deploying concrete blocks with hooks to entangle nets, fishermen continue to defy regulations, entering protected areas to fish on a daily basis and even sabotaging monitoring efforts.

According to the report, fishermen have started removing the acoustic devices (CPODs) used to record vaquita clicks, resulting in the loss of valuable data. Replacing the stolen CPODs is expensive, and without effective enforcement of the fishing ban and prevention of equipment theft, acoustic monitoring cannot continue to collect data as it has in the past.

Barbara Taylor, a researcher, has called on Mexico to increase the number of concrete blocks in order to ensnare nets, as some vaquitas have been observed outside the protected area.

The expedition took place from May 10 to May 26 and focused on the gulf’s corner where the few remaining vaquitas had last been sighted.

Alex Olivera, the Mexico representative for the Center for Biological Diversity, expressed optimism about the findings, describing the vaquitas as survivors. However, he emphasized the urgent need for conservation efforts to save these small porpoises from extinction. Olivera estimated that, even in a gillnet-free habitat, it would take around 50 years for the population to recover to its level 15 years ago. He called on Mexico to urgently comply with existing regulations to prevent the vaquita from disappearing forever.

The administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has been hesitant to allocate funds to compensate fishermen for abstaining from the vaquita refuge, discontinuing the use of gillnets, or monitoring their presence or fishing areas.

Sea Shepherd has been collaborating with the Mexican Navy in the Gulf to deter illegal fishing in the “zero tolerance” zone, where fishing is supposedly prohibited. However, illegal fishing boats continue to be observed in the area, indicating Mexico’s incomplete success in eradicating such activities.

Pritam Singh, Sea Shepherd’s chairman, reported that joint patrols with the Mexican Navy reduced the number of hours that fishing boats spent in the restricted zone by 79% in 2022 compared to the previous year.

The previous vaquita sighting expedition in 2021 recorded probable sightings of 5 to 13 vaquitas, indicating a decline compared to the survey conducted in 2019.

Illegal fishing has historically hindered accurate population assessments. In 2022, experts reported that both the 2019 and 2021 surveys were impeded by the presence of numerous illegal fishing boats with gillnets in the water. Some areas could not be surveyed at all on certain days due to the high density of illegal fishing.

The government’s protection efforts have been inconsistent, and they frequently face violent opposition from local fishermen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about endangered vaquita porpoises

More about endangered vaquita porpoises

• Vaquita Conservation
• Sea Shepherd – Protecting the Vaquita
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• Center for Biological Diversity – Saving the Vaquita
• Mexican Government – Official Website
• Gulf of California – UNESCO World Heritage