Spotting a vaquita in the upper Gulf of California is like finding a needle in a haystack. Many factors must come together to make it happen: an up-to-date acoustic chart, a trained eye, specialized monitoring equipment, a dedicated vessel, good weather, and yes, a bit of luck. So sharing this video, taken during the last sighting cruise of 2024, reminds us that the species is resilient in its habitat, that there is still hope to save it from extinction.
The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus), endemic to the upper Gulf of California, is the most endangered cetacean in the world. Although it has the highest level of legal protection in Mexico under NOM-059, in addition to being listed on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and having the international support of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the habitat of the Mexican porpoise has not been cleared of illegal fishing gear, which has caused a dramatic decline in its population.
There is international agreement on how to move away from this disastrous scenario: all efforts must be aimed at reducing the number of porpoise entanglements to zero. To achieve this, an enormous collaborative effort is in place involving the Mexican government, through the National Commission of Protected Areas (CONANP) and the Ministry of the Navy, as well as the civil organizations Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Cetáceos, Acción y Transformación, Pesca ABC, and Pronatura Noroeste. It also has the active support of ReWild and the American actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who are helping to keep the international spotlight on the reality of the endangered species.
Video of vaquitas during the 2024 sighting cruise:
Pronatura Noroeste, in partnership with the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Reserve, cooperates directly with the fishermen of San Felipe, Baja California, and Golfo de Santa Clara, Sonora, to transition to vaquita-friendly fishing gear. Aware that the best scenario for the conservation of the species depends on the active participation of the fishermen of the Upper Gulf of California, we are working to strengthen the technologies that will make possible a sustainable fishing effort, capable of guaranteeing both a greater income for the fishermen and the survival of the Mexican cetacean.
Other positive steps taken to save the vaquita include the acoustic monitoring network, the measurement of environmental DNA, the expansion of the habitat protection polygon, and the training of local youth in monitoring tasks.
This latest video we share with you is undoubtedly the best footage of the species in its habitat to date. We are excited to see it, as we are sure you will be too. It is true that the vaquita’s situation remains serious, but it is also true that the efforts of many will continue until the species’ population returns to healthy numbers.
