“The vaquita is one of the smallest cetaceans in the world, averaging 150 centimeters in length and weighing just 50 kilograms.”

Vaquita porpoise

The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus) is a beautiful cetacean belonging to the porpoise family, known for its tiny size. It is an endemic species of the Upper Gulf of California, and due to its small size, it is impossible for it to move long distances. 

This species reaches just 150 centimeters in length and weighs just over 50 kilograms, thus becoming one of the smallest cetaceans in the world. Unfortunately, at present, there are only about 50 vaquita porpoises left in their entire habitat, which is why they are considered an imminently endangered species. 

The current dire condition of the vaquita is primarily due to the illegal capture of the totoaba fish. Fishermen use nets that are two meters long and can weigh up to 120 kilograms. These nets are intended to catch totoaba, but vaquitas often get trapped in them. Unable to surface for air, the vaquitas die of asphyxiation. 

In response to this critical situation, SEMARNAT and SAGARPA, through CONAPESCA, have launched a comprehensive strategy aimed at preserving the marine ecosystem of the Upper Gulf of California. This strategy’s primary goal is to prevent the extinction of the vaquita porpoise. 

The strategy includes several key measures: a temporary suspension of commercial fishing using gillnets, longlines, and/or hooks operated by small boats; a compensation program for permit holders, fishermen, and the productive chain of the suspended fisheries; and increased community surveillance to ensure compliance with these measures. Additionally, efforts are being made to raise awareness about the vaquita’s plight and to promote the use of alternative, vaquita-safe fishing gear. 

Despite these efforts, the vaquita’s future remains uncertain. Conservationists and scientists continue to work tirelessly to monitor the remaining population and to implement further measures that could help save this unique and precious species from extinction. The survival of the vaquita porpoise is a race against time, and it requires the collective effort of governments, organizations, and individuals to ensure that this small but significant cetacean does not disappear from our oceans forever.