We focus on ocean conservation all over the world, but right here in Southern California and on the Baja Peninsula, there is an endangered species called the Vaquita native to these waters. As of 2018, there are only an estimated 12 vaquitas left in the wild. This extremely fragile endangered species has reached a critical level of endangerment, to the point where the species may soon be extinct in the wild.
Vaquitas are a part of the porpoise family and are native only to the northern part of the Gulf of California, which separates the Baja peninsula from the rest of Mexico. They have been listed as an endangered species since 1996, when conservationists began to notice the dwindling population figures. The vaquita are affected by gillnets set for other fish in the area, as well as habitat destruction related to pollution in the waters. Their decline due to harmful fishing practices and irresponsible pollution management represents an extreme threat to the region’s biodiversity.
Efforts at conservation to the betterment of the Vaquita population span several countries and organizations. The U.S. and Mexico have been working together since 2014 to establish monitoring of both the remaining population and the regional fisheries. The Mexican government has also taken steps to ensure that fishing nets are not improperly left in the Gulf. Several organizations are working on plans to create captive breeding programs with the goal of rebuilding the population.