vaquitas

The vaquita marina, Phocoena sinus, is a small porpoise native to the northern Gulf of California, Mexico. Adults typically reach about 1.2 to 1.5 meters in length. They have a distinctive facial pattern with dark patches around the eyes and a dark ring around the lips, with a body that is gray on top and lighter underneath. Vaquitas inhabit shallow, turbid waters near river deltas, often over muddy or sandy bottoms, and are primarily found in the upper Gulf.

The vaquita is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Population estimates have consistently indicated a very small number of individuals, with later assessments suggesting around 10 or fewer vaquitas remaining in the wild. This extremely limited population size raises concerns about genetic diversity and long-term survival, and there is little documented evidence of ongoing natural recruitment.

The principal threat to the vaquita is bycatch in illegal gillnets used to catch Totoaba macdonaldi, a fish whose swim bladder is valued in some markets. Other threats include habitat degradation, incidental entanglement in fishing gear, and pollution. Despite protection measures such as gillnet bans in parts of the Gulf and the establishment of protected areas, enforcement challenges and ongoing fishing pressure have continued to hinder recovery.

Conservation efforts have included rescue and recovery initiatives and attempts to remove harmful gear from vaquita habitat, notably the Vaquita Conservation, Rescue, and Recovery program. Mexican authorities and international partners continue to pursue fisheries management, surveillance, and community-based approaches aimed at reducing bycatch and protecting the remaining population.