Vaquita
Key Facts
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Common Name
Vaquita, cochito, Gulf of California porpoise, gulf porpoise ; Cochito, marsouin du Golfe de Californie, vaquita (Fr); Cochito, vaquita(Sp)
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Scientific Name
Phocoena sinus
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Status
IUCN: Critically Endangered
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Population
Estimated around 150 individuals
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Habitat
Tropical upwelling
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Length
About 1.5 m
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Weight
Up to 55 kg
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Skin colour
dark gray
Smallest cetacean restricted to very small area
The vaquita, a small porpoise endemic to Mexico's Gulf of California, is the world's smallest and most endangered small marine cetacean. With fewer than 600 left, high levels of entanglement in fishing gear threaten imminent extinction if current trends continue.Each year, anywhere between 40 and 80 vaquitas are killed in gillnets and trawl nets used in both artisanal and commercial fishing. At the same time, the habitat of the species has been altered by damming of the Colorado River in the US.
An intensive study of this population has taken place and some initial protective measures are underway, but without additional action to eliminate fisheries bycatch it is unlikely that its future can be ensured.
WWF Mexico and WWF US have been working with Mexican scientists, government representatives, the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita (CIRVA), and other partners and collaborators to develop a long-term strategy for conservation of the species, "Conservation and Sustainable Development Strategy for the Recovery of Vaquita Porpoise (Phocoena sinus) and its Habitat'" which outlines four key measures to ensure the protection and survival of the vaquita in the wild.
For the conservation of the vaquita, WWF has developed the following milestone:
By 2009, bycatch of vaquita (Phocoena sinus )in the Gulf of California, Mexico, has been reduced to a level that does not threaten the population, i.e. no more than one animal per year. To achieve this:
- Mexico has established a wildlife refuge covering the distribution area of the vaquita that falls outside of the Upper Gulf of California Biosphere Reserve.
- The use of gillnets and shrimp trawls has been eliminated in vaquita habitat, and progress has been made on alternative gears and other sustainable economic alternatives for local fishermen and communities
Physical Description
The vaquita is the smallest living cetacean, closely resembling the common porpoise. However, the pectoral fins of this species are longer, and the dorsal fin taller in proportion to the body length, than in other species of porpoise.Size
The vaquita may weigh up to 55 kg (120 lb) and females can reach up to 1.5 m (4.9'), males up to 1.4 m (4.6').
Colour
In adults, the dorsal surface is dark gray, the sides are pale gray and the ventral surface is white with some long, light gray markings. This porpoise has a large dark ring around the eyes and dark patches on the lips that form a thin line from the mouth to the pectoral fins.
In the newborn, the coloration is darker than in adults, particularly in the head and in the areas behind the eyes. There is a wide gray fringe of color that runs from the head to the dorsal flukes, passing through the dorsal and pectoral fins.
Habitat
Major habitat typeTropical upwelling
Biogeographic realm
Neotropical
Range States
Mexico
Geographical Location
Northern region of the Gulf of California
Ecological Region
Sea of Cortez