Vaquita (Phocoena sinus)

Part 1: Threats

Just how endangered is the vaquita (Phocoena sinus)? Vaquitas are said to be short porpoises with a little slender body frames living in the Gulf of California. The specific is endemic to the Sea of Cortez in the northern area of the Gulf of California. They can be found close toshores in the shallow waters. The vaquitas have the most limited distribution compared to any other cetacean (Gerrodette & Rojas‐Bracho, 2011). They generally travel alone and sometimes in small groups not exceeding three individuals. When hunting, they have been known to swim in larger groups (Rodríguez‐Pérez et al., 2018). They have many teeth and a blunt snout adapted to survival their environments. The vaquita has distinctive dark rings in the face areas between the mouth and the eyes, and a characteristic porpoise-looking figure. It is also the smallest cetacean in the world, living in warm waters and with the ability to adapt to large temperature fluctuations. Vaquitas are predators feeding on fishes, crustaceans, and squids. The species has also been labeled as an extremely shy animal that makes it difficult for studies in their natural environment. In terms of breeding, the vaquitas mate in early summer or during spring, and a thereafter an 11-months gestation period (Jaramillo-Legorreta et al., 2019). Adult vaquitas nurse their young ones for several months before weaning occurs. Females give birth to only one calf per year.

Vaquitas are under a high threat of extinction. The vaquita is identified as one of the world’s rarest marine mammals. It is further noted that the vaquita faces extinction if measures are not taken to increase their population. The predicament of other cetaceans as an entire whole is markedly exemplified by the reduction of the vaquita in areas such as Mexico where only 10 species are said to be remaining (Jaramillo-Legorreta et al., 2019). The population is still declining despite efforts by the Mexican government to preserve their natural habitat. Unlike other endangered species in the mammal kingdom, vaquitas have not been affected by common threats such as climate change and deforestation. Although these animals are not actively and directly hunted their populations are in a stable and rapid decline due to incidental mortality caused by gillnets, a fishing tool. They are inadvertently caught and drowned following illegal fishing activities. There is a need for more research and studies on these animals in order to understand more about their predicament and how best to tackle their threatened situation.

Part II: Solutions

It is important to note that the vaquitas are not specifically targeted or hunted as an independent activity, instead they are collateral damage. Illegal gillnets are the main cause for the death, as a result of large scale fishing for maw, totoaba fish, and the dried swim bladder. There are several proven approaches that can be taken to reduce the decline of the vaquita. They include scientific and physical measures in line with environmental conservation. Scientists warn that the survival of the vaquita species is reliant on the elimination of bycatch in gillnets. According to Gerrodette & Rojas‐Bracho (2011), scientific measures relating to conservation have not been very effective in the past. This is because the primary method of vaquita’s death by the numbers is illegal fishing. It has been proven that conservation exercises are not effective in preventing the extinction of vaquitas.

Physical measures, on the other hand, have been more effective in helping to stabilize he reduction of vaquitas. Rojas-Bracho & Taylor (2017) note that there are conservation actions in place including in-place research and monitoring, water protection, and education. The Mexican shrimp sector has contributed significantly to the loss of more than 70% of the vaquita population in the last three decades (Jaramillo-Legorreta et al., 2019). The resurgence of illegal fishing industry and practices has further accelerated the race to extinction for the vaquita. Organized criminal channels have penetrated the market, seeking to gain profits from the value of fishes like the totoaba, which is also an endangered species. In response, the Mexican government has stepped up measures to curb illegal fishing, and especially using gillnets. It has begun demarcating fishing zones to push back fishing. Additionally, the Mexican shrimp industry is closely monitored for any illegal activities, paying specific attention to the illegal networks that have turned the industry into a profit mine. Consequently, the population of the vaquita has remained constant, as monitoring measures are intensified to ensure population growth. Government efforts have also largely relied on promotional campaigns from NGOs and other well wishers.

The solution lies on continued government efforts to institute physical and legal barriers to illegal fishing and the production of gillnets. The scientific community has also provided critical information to the public regarding the dangers of engaging in activities that threaten the existence of the vaquita species and other cetacean. Local stakeholders are less likely to support the solution seeing that it is critical for their livelihood. The Mexican shrimp industry employees thousands of people, both directly and indirectly. However, strict measures will have to be instituted until the population can be restored.

References

Gerrodette, T., & Rojas‐Bracho, L. (2011). Estimating the success of protected areas for the

vaquita, Phocoena sinus. Marine Mammal Science, 27(2), E101-E125.

Jaramillo-Legorreta, A. M., Cardenas-Hinojosa, G., Nieto-Garcia, E., Rojas-Bracho, L., Thomas,

L., Ver Hoef, J. M., … & Tregenza, N. (2019). Decline towards extinction of Mexico’s vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus). Royal Society open science, 6(7), 190598.

Rodríguez‐Pérez, M. Y., Aurioles‐Gamboa, D., Sánchez‐Velásco, L., Lavín, M. F., & Newsome,

S. D. (2018). Identifying critical habitat of the endangered vaquita (Phocoena sinus) with regional δ13C and δ15N isoscapes of the Upper Gulf of California, Mexico. Marine Mammal Science, 34(3), 790-805.Rojas-Bracho, L. & Taylor, B.L. (2017). Phocoena sinus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened

Species 2017: e.T17028A50370296. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T17028A50370296.en.