Introduction to the Vaquita Marina and Its Threats
In one of my early research projects at the Regional Museum of UABC, I discovered an 18th-century text describing the beaches of the Upper Gulf of California filled with abandoned totoaba bodies on the sand. These were a result of the fishing initiated by the Chinese community at that time, consuming and still consuming their swimming bladder. This organ helps them control the depth at which they dive.
This fishing, now illegal since the 1970s due to overexploitation, has brought misfortune upon the vaquita marina. The vaquita is the world’s smallest marine mammal, endemic to the Upper Gulf of California. This round-faced, flat-nosed dolphin is hanging by a thread due to its endangered status. As the world watches events unfold in the Gulf of California, known as the world’s aquarium, the fate of the vaquita is of global concern.
Current Conservation Efforts
Currently, significant work is being done in this region. Collaborating with Sea Shepherd, an international marine life-protecting organization, Mexican authorities such as Semarnat, CONANP, and 14 scientists from Mexico and around the world are monitoring the horizon to detect vaquita marina presence.
Such an extensive effort to study this organism has never been undertaken before, nor has there been such a commitment and agreement between local fishing communities and Mexican institutions to work together.
Human Impact and Awareness
With humanity being responsible for the extinction of over 2,000 species in the past 400 years and the IUCN Red List including nearly 170,000 more species as threatened, endangered, or at risk of extinction, perhaps we are gaining some consciousness—or shame—about our role in species loss.
September 5 marks the Vaquita Marina Day, aiming to remind us of our responsibility in keeping this species alive and preventing its extinction.
Regulation and International Cooperation
The vaquita, along with the totoaba, are regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Mexico reports on actions taken to protect these species, particularly combating illegal totoaba fishing, which poses the primary threat to the remaining vaquitas entangled in the nets used.
The ongoing research will provide better evidence on vaquita numbers, distribution routes, potential new refuge sites, and ultimately strengthen conservation efforts for the vaquita marina.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the vaquita marina? The vaquita marina is the smallest marine mammal in the world, found only in the Upper Gulf of California.
- What threats does the vaquita face? The primary threat to the vaquita is entanglement in fishing nets targeting the totoaba, an illegally overfished species.
- What organizations are working to save the vaquita? Semarnat, CONANP, Sea Shepherd, and 14 scientists from Mexico and around the world are collaborating on vaquita conservation efforts.
- Why is international cooperation crucial for vaquita conservation? International collaboration ensures that all parties are committed to protecting the vaquita and its habitat, sharing knowledge, and implementing effective conservation strategies.
- What is the significance of Vaquita Marina Day? This day serves as a reminder of our responsibility to protect the vaquita and prevent its extinction.
