[Animals] This is the vaquita marina, the Mexican porpoise that fights for its survival in the Sea of Cortez

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Recent research estimates that there may still be 10 individuals of the vaquita marina, the marine mammal closest to extinction.
The French oceanographer, Jacques Cousteau, once called the Sea of Cortez “the world's aquarium”, due to the great biological diversity that exists in that area. This corner of the Pacific Ocean is, indeed, one of the richest places in marine fauna. Despite this, fishing and other human activities have been putting the survival of many endemic species at high risk. This is the case of the vaquita marina.

Vaquita marina, the endemic porpoise of the Gulf of California
The vaquita porpoise is also known as the cochito, however its scientific name is Phocoena sinus. Phocoena comes from Latin and means "porpoise", while sinus refers to "cavity", which, in this case, is an allusion to the place of origin of this marine mammal: the Gulf of California.

Porpoises are a species of marine mammals that belong to the group of cetaceans. Whales, dolphins and sperm whales are also part of this classification. There are seven species of porpoises, all of which are distinguished by being smaller compared to other animals in the same group, and by the shape of their teeth (flattened).

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Of all the porpoises, the vaquita porpoise is the smallest. Consequently, it is also the smallest cetacean. The first descriptions of this animal come from the first half of the 20th century. These were the result of the discovery of some skulls seen in San Felipe, Baja California. But it was not until 1958 that he could be formally identified.

Characteristics of the vaquita porpoise
The description of this marine mammal is very peculiar. It is an animal that reaches 1.5 meters in length, in the case of females, and 1.4, in the case of males. Like the other porpoises, the vaquita porpoise is characterized by its robustness. Its head is rounded and its dorsal fin is high. Other hallmarks of this cetacean are the black spots around its eyes and lips. As for its colors, the back is dark gray, the sides are light gray and the belly is white.

The Gulf of California porpoise is from shallow waters. According to Dr. María Luisa Martínez Vázquez, from the Institute of Ecology (INECOL), the vaquita porpoise never strays far from the coast and prefers warm currents. It is also an animal that moves in small groups (2 to 3 individuals). It uses echolocation to search for food and to detect the presence of predators.

The Government mentions that the sexual maturity of this cetacean is reached at six years. Mating months are April and June. Fertility is, compared to other species, low. It is estimated that a female can give birth, throughout her life, to 5 or 7 offspring.

The most endangered marine mammal
Due to different factors, the vaquita has been in danger of extinction since 1996. The number of specimens of the species has been decreasing year after year, despite the work done in favor of its conservation. In 2022, a study by the University of California was published in which, among other data, it was mentioned that there must currently be 10 vaquitas. However, the same source makes it known that the remaining specimens are in good health, a fact that increases the chances of saving the species.

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The main reason that is driving this marine mammal to extinction, according to the United Nations (UN), is the illegal fishing of totoaba. This is a fish that is also at high risk of disappearing, since it is traded clandestinely, especially in China, due to its healing and aphrodisiac properties.

The problem with this type of fishing is that many vaquitas have been trapped in the nets used to capture totoaba. In 2017, the Mexican government prohibited the use of these fishing instruments in the vaquita's habitat. Other measures have been taken to protect the species.

Projects for the conservation of the smallest cetacean
In 1992, even before the vaquita was declared endangered, the Technical Committee for the Preservation of the Vaquita and Totoaba (CTPVT) was created. This organization combined efforts, from the public and private sectors, focused on caring for this species.

Additionally, in 1997, the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita Marina (CIRVA) was formed. Researchers from Canada, the United States, Europe and Mexico coincide in this group. CIRVA takes its work in two directions; Firstly, there is the elaboration of a recovery plan for the species; Second, the socioeconomic impact on the communities that may be affected by the proposed measures is monitored.

THE CONSERVATION OF THE VAQUITA MARINA GOES BEYOND ETHICS, SAYS DR. MARIA LUISA MARTINEZ VAZQUEZ. “AS IT IS A TOP PREDATOR, ITS PRESENCE IN THE ECOSYSTEM REGULATES MANY PROCESSES AND CYCLES THAT WILL BE ALTERED IN ITS ABSENCE. THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN OBSERVED IN OTHER ECOSYSTEMS THAT HAVE LOST THEIR KEY SPECIES. IN THIS CASE, IT IS LIKELY THAT THE FISHERIES WILL BE AFFECTED, SO STRONG ECONOMIC EFFECTS ARE EXPECTED.”

https://www.ngenespanol.com/animales/vaquita-marina-la-marsopa-mexicana-que-sobrevive-en-el-mar-de-cortes/