News: A recent report by the North American Environmental Commission (CEC), a body under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), has blamed Mexico for imperiling the critically endangered vaquita porpoise.
About Vaquita Porpoise
- It is the world’s smallest cetacean and the most endangered marine mammal.
- Scientific name: Phocoena sinus.
- Its name means “little cow” in Spanish.
- The vaquita was first discovered in 1958.
- Physical Characteristics
- The vaquita is the smallest cetacean and is easily recognisable by its unique markings.
- It has large dark rings around its eyes, dark patches on its lips that extend to the pectoral fins, and a dorsal surface that is dark grey.
- Its sides are pale grey, while its underside is white with long, light grey streaks.
- Behavior: It is usually found close to shore but are very shy and quickly swim away if a boat approaches.
- Distribution and habitats
- It has the smallest range of any whale, dolphin or porpoise, and only lives in a small 1,500 square-mile area.
- It is confined just to a small area in the Gulf of California or the Sea of Cortez, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean between the Baja California peninsula and mainland Mexico.
- It is unique among the porpoises as it is the only species of that family found in warm waters.
- Threats to Survival:
- Today, only about ten individuals are remaining, making it the world’s most endangered marine mammal.
- The biggest threat to the vaquita comes from gillnets used in illegal fishing operations.
- These nets trap vaquitas underwater, causing them to drown.
- Despite the designation of marine protected areas, illegal fishing continues, and the vaquita population has declined drastically in recent years.
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
