Vaquita Marina

The Vaquita Marina, an endangered speciesThe vaquita porpoise endemic to Mexico, is in danger of extinction. It is estimated that no more than 600 individuals of this species die annually from 40 to 80 cows turtles entangled in fishing nets. This Mexican species disappear from the face of the earth if urgent measures are not taken to save it.

The vaquita may be the first cetacean species to extinction due to human activities. This species lives in the Upper Gulf of California one of the most productive marine habitats in the world. The Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of ​​Cortez and the Baja California peninsula that separates the Pacific Ocean, contain a great diversity of flora and fauna and coastal and, in particular, a high percentage of endemic species that are found nowhere else on the planet. And this is the case of the vaquita.

The major cause of mortality of the vaquita is because it is entangled in gill nets used by fishermen to fish for shark, swordfish, northern milkfish and other species. The coastal fishermen are willing to reduce the use of these networks if there is a reordering fishing in the area. This is possible because most of the vaquita's habitat is within the Biosphere Reserve of the Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta. The law states that protected natural areas that include marine ecosystems should not be used fishing techniques with serious environmental impacts. Currently, they enter the area of ​​the Reserve Fleet that by law should not do. If the law is applied, coastal fishermen could access other marine resources and stop using most of the gill nets. This would be a first step that must be followed by the promotion of productive alternatives for fishing communities in the region.
By: Cabello Chio Noemi Celeste