Will Mexico's Vaquita Marina, World's Smallest Porpoise, Get Extinct?

Mexico's Vaquita Marina, the world's smallest porpoise has fallen to such low levels that there are dangers of its extinction unless preventative measures are taken. On December 2015, just about 60 of the animals existed in the upper Gulf of California, which is the only known region where they are known to live.

"I believe that it is still possible to save the vaquita, but this is clearly our last chance," said Omar Vidal, CEO of World Wildlife Foundation - Mexico. "The Mexican, U.S. and Chinese governments need to take urgent and coordinated action to stop the illegal fishing, trafficking and consumption of totoaba products. In the end, if the vaquita goes extinct, it would inevitably be a shared responsibility of the three countries."

The cause of their reducing numbers is gillnet fishing for the totoaba fish. This is one more threatened species in the same region. It is captured for its swim bladder, which is consumed as a Chinese delicacy. Fishermen tend to drown vaquitas even while they fish for the totoaba.

"For years, WWF has supported efforts to save the vaquita by working with the Mexican and U.S. governments, local fishing communities, and other partners to implement sustainable fishing options," Vidal said. "We will continue to do all we can to save this unique porpoise. Despite all the best efforts, we are losing the battle to stop totoaba fishing and save the vaquita."

The last numbers were released last December, but after that three vaquitas were found dead in only three weeks in March. It leads to the possibility of the numbers being lower than thought.

"Finding three vaquitas in three weeks is finding one dead vaquita per week," said Oona Layolle of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. "If we look at the rate the vaquita population has been killed and the intensity of illegal activity at night, there are very likely fewer than 30 vaquita left. If we continue losing the vaquita at this rate it will be extinct by this coming December."

Currently gillnetting is banned, but scientists believe that even if it is resumed after a couple of years, the porpoise can become extinct by 2022.