#SaveTheVaquitasandTotoabas

this is a side blog dedicated to spreading the word about the vaquita and totoaba populations. mostly vaquita at the moment because that was the first thing I heard about, but I'm bringing in totoabas as well.

[orcinus-ocean]

Only 12 vaquita porpoises remain, watchdog group reports

The International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita reported in 2017 that there were just 30 vaquita left in the Upper Gulf of California, the species’ only known habitat. The…

Well this is depressing.

And it did not need to happen.

[csnews]

Last-ditch attempt to save the vaquita to begin in Mexico

Oct. 5, 2017

Preparations are underway for what could be the last attempt to save the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. An ambitious plan that involves organizations from around the world aims to locate and eventually capture the remaining vaquita to temporarily move them to a safe habitat. The goal is to keep the animals from getting entangled in gill-nets, a threat that has driven the species to the brink of extinction. Eventually, the plan is for the animals to return to their natural habitat once it is deemed safe.

The Consortium for Vaquita Conservation, Protection, and Recovery (VaquitaCPR) has assembled an international team of scientists and other professionals to attempt what most experts consider the only remaining option in the decades-long conservation effort. The population has declined dramatically. While the population was estimated to be about 600 animals strong back in 1997, less than 30 are believed to remain today. And extinction is inevitable if this effort fails.

Keep reading

[aquatic-batt]

I can’t stress enough about how much I care for these poor creatures and how much I worry for them. it’s October, everyone, which means Mexico’s plan to save the vaquitas will be put into action soon. I hope to god we can save them. please do whatever you can to help, whether it be going out and stopping the fishing of totoabas, or just spreading this news to everyone and anyone you can.

[3tenclothing]

Here’s @averyschlereth giving you some information on Vaquita porpoises and how you can help #SavetheVaquita. CC: @baderda @vaquitacpr . . . #4aporpoise #longbeachaquarium #aquariumofthepacific #vaquita #vaquitacpr #savetheocean #donate #charity #3ten #3tenclothing (at Aquarium of the Pacific)

[tuffwaffles]

The Vaquita is a small porpoise in the Gulf of California and it is in desperate need of help. The species was listed as critically endangered in 1996 with numbers estimated at 600. Today it is the world’s most endangered marine mammal with only 30 remaining in existence. Illegal gillnet fishing is the sole contributing factor to it’s declining numbers and not much has been done to stop the practice until recently. Strict enforcement of the gillnet ban was finally passed by Mexico in June 2017 and in October 2017 a captive breeding program will commence, but it is unknown if the Vaquita will be able to survive and reproduce while confined to a sanctuary. 

[the-future-now-deactivated20170]

Mexico will use trained dolphins to try to save an endangered species of porpoise

The key to saving the highly endangered vaquita porpoise could be   dolphins — at least, that’s what the Mexican government is hoping.

The BBC reported on Saturday that Mexico’s government plans to deploy dolphins specially trained by the United States Navy in an effort to find and gather vaquita porpoises.

The vaquita porpoise is the most endangered marine species in the world, the BBC reported, and experts estimate that fewer than 40 of them remain in their natural habitat, namely Mexico’s Gulf of California. Read more (7/3/17)

follow @the-future-now​

[eartharchives]

Vaquita porpoise: Dolphins deployed to save rare species

The Mexican government is to use US Navy-trained dolphins to locate and herd endangered vaquitas.

[thediscardedwhale]

Leonardo DiCaprio Teams Up with Mexican Government to Save the Vaquita Porpoise

Leonardo DiCaprio teamed up with the Mexican government in a last-ditch effort to save the critically endangered vaquita porpoise.

[simkaye-deactivated20211102]

I can’t agree that placing the last family of an animal in a cage is saving them. Vaquitas are already inbred beyond repair and were declared functionally extinct even when I did my last painting of them years ago. This might be among the first extinct species whose extinction is 100% credited to humans. Despite combined efforts of the Mexican government, the United States, Sea Shepherd volunteers, and many others–stopping both legal and illegal fisheries from dragging the small porpoises in on their nets was a complete failure. Mexico now wants to capture the remaining handful of members (vaquitas never been captured alive before) for a captive breeding program. I can’t imagine a worse fate for a cetacean than extinction in a concrete pool.

[annoying-anti-andpro-things]

Empty the Tanks

You know what irritates me about this entire event? Instead of like, raising worldwide awareness for animals that need it, the Southern Residents or the Vaquita for example, they decide to stand outside marine parks and scream “Empty the Tanks!” all day long. This while the visitors of that park actually do more for conservation on that day than these protesters. ‘

[save-the-vaquitas]

the animals you are viewing in these images are known as the vaquita and a totoaba. these poor creatures, are both close to extinction due to the same reason: fishing. in the gulf of California, people are fishing for totoabas because their swim bladders are worth a ton of money. but, obviously, this is killing off totoabas, as well as vaquitas, who get caught in the same nets meant to catch totoabas. I haven’t done much research in the totoabas yet, but there are less than thirty vaquitas alive. Mexico is going to go through with a plan to save them, though, which is good. but however, the plan won’t begin until October, which is worrisome because it doesn’t exactly seem likely that the vaquitas will live out that long, but I hope to god they can. I don’t know what we can do, but if you know you can do something to help, please go forth with it. whether it’s going out and actually protecting both species or just spreading the word, do something! I don’t know if it’s illegal to hunt for totoabas, but if it isn’t, and you live in that area, please, if you can, do something to help make it illegal. please, spread the word, guys!

[animalia]

The World's Most Endangered Species;

(In no particular order).

Vaquita.

The Vaquita is a rare species of porpoise. It is endemic to the northern part of the Gulf of California. Estimates of the number of individuals alive range from 100 to 300. The word “vaquita” is Spanish for little cow. The species is critically endangered primarily as a result of entanglement in fishing nets. Strong measures are needed to stop harmful fishing practices in its habitat or the species stands little chance of survival.

[kohola-kai-deactivated20220130]

Awesome to see the Vaquita getting more attention on social media and on the news! And it’s also heart warming to have a lot of these going out lately.

The listing for this piece includes an option for buyers to donate to ¡Viva Vaquita! but I also include a donation from the greater part of my personal margin. The Vaquita is the worlds most critically endangered cetacean due to entanglement in gill nets. They could easily go extinct with in the next year with out intervention.

¡Viva Vaquita! Works to help educate, research and study ways we can try to save this little porpoise. Sharing my passions and “hand-making” abilities in order to help our ocean friends is why I do what I do!

[missmarinebio]

Last-ditch attempt to save world's most endangered porpoise gets go-ahead

Funds approved for plan to round up last 30 vaquitas into protective 'sea pens'.

I had already posted a little while ago that they planned on using Navy Seal trained search dolphins to round up what vaquitas were left. This is the first time I heard the population go from 60 to 30, so I am not sure where that information came from. Maybe it’s true. Either way 60 was still ridiculously low.

What shocked me was the line, “ The funds have come too late for work to start in the next suitable window, in May; after that, the gulf gets too choppy. But conservationists hope to start when conditions improve again in October.”

That may be too late.

[phocoenidae]

It has been decided. Some of the last remaining vaquitas are going to be captured in the spring and held in captivity.

The International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita has decided to put together an international team to capture and relocate a few porpoises to netted, secure areas. It is incredibly risky. If any of them die during the capture process (a very likely possibility) then it could be the final nail in the coffin for the species, especially if breeding females are killed.

Vaquitas have never been held in captivity. This is the last ditch effort to save the species.

[orcinus-ocean]

Updated visalization of every Vaquita left on Earth

There are supposed to be 5000 of them. Now there are 30.

What has been done so far has not worked, including the ban on gill nets, and the capture effort that is coming will probably be far too late.

This is humanity’s fault.

China for pushing the market for totoaba swim bladders, Mexico for allowing it until this point, and the rest of us for not stepping up until they are at death’s door.

This species will most likely be gone in one or two years, and it will be the second cetacean species to die out in a little over ten years, the second in the entire 200 000 year history of the human species.

[todropscience]

DOCUMENTARY PROTRAYS THE FIGHT AGAINST VAQUITA EXTINCTION

The fight to save the vaquita has involved scientists, environmentalists, and government agencies on both sides of the US-Mexico border.  However, the population has continued to fall: Today it is believed that fewer than 30 individuals survive.

Check out the trailer for of the 30-minute documentary about the struggle to save the vaquita from extinction. 

Free online streaming started on Earth Day!! vaquitafilm.com/watch 

Learn more at: vaquitafilm.com