The world's smallest and most endangered cetacean. Only ~10 individuals remain — extinction may be imminent. Their decline is driven entirely by entanglement in illegal gillnets set for the totoaba fish (whose swim bladders are illegally trafficked to China).
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The vaquita is a species of porpoise endemic to the northern end of the Gulf of California in Baja California, Mexico. Reaching a maximum body length of 150 cm (4.9 ft) (females) or 140 cm (4.6 ft) (males), it is the smallest of all living cetaceans. The species is currently on the brink of extinction, and is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List; the steep decline in abundance is primarily due to bycatch in gillnets from the illegal totoaba fishery.
Source: Wikipedia — Vaquita Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Small dark gray porpoise; dark "smile" around mouth; distinctive dark rings around eyes.
Similar species. Other porpoise species (larger, different ranges).
Voice. High-frequency clicks for echolocation.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Small fish (anchovies, sardines), crustaceans.
Behavior. Critically endangered — fewer than 10 individuals remain. Restricted to a tiny range in Mexico's Gulf of California.
§ Range
Northern Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), Mexico
§ Habitat
Shallow turbid coastal waters of one specific gulf — endemic
§ Threats
Illegal totoaba gillnets (the only significant threat), bycatch in legal fisheries, low population genetic diversity.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the vaquita is currently classified as Critically Endangered.
§ What helps
Support international anti-trafficking enforcement. Donate to ¡Viva Vaquita! Pressure aquaculture and shrimp suppliers to source from non-vaquita waters.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Vaquita
- www.fisheries.noaa.gov — authoritative profile of Phocoena sinus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 17028
- iNaturalist · taxon 41479
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Phocoena sinus
§ Sources cited
- Vaquita Recovery Program
- NOAA Fisheries
- IUCN Red List 2020
