The critically endangered vaquita porpoise is on the verge of extinction. In just 27 years, the marine mammal’s population plummeted from 600 in 1997 to fewer than 10 today. The culprit — illegal gill net fishing in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez.
Las vaquitas are shy, elusive cetaceans whose name translates as “little cows” in Spanish. The moniker was given to them because of the dark rings around their eyes and calm, docile nature. They only live in one place on earth — the biologically diverse body of water nestled between Baja California and mainland Mexico.
Las vaquitas top 4-5 feet in length. Scientists estimate there are only 6-8 of them left on the planet. Unfortunately, demand from China often drives local fishermen to use illegal gill nets to increase their daily haul, and the vaquitas can’t fall through the cracks.
The dire situation prompted the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to again pressure Mexico to save the critically endangered species from extinction.
The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, is one of the most biodiverse bodies of water on the planet. It’s home to some 900 species of fish, and roughly one third of the world’s marine mammals. Many, like vaquitas, can’t be found anywhere else on the earth.
What’s Causing the Decline of La Vaquita?
At the heart of the issue is the booming illegal trade of “totoaba,” a large fish endemic to the Gulf of California.
Totoaba swim bladders’ purported health benefits contribute greatly to their appeal. Demand for the bladders spiked around 2011 and persisted since. Poachers can sell bladders for thousands on the black market.
Las vaquitas become collateral damage, getting trapped in gillnets, the illegal fishing nets that catch totoaba by their gills. Due to their small size, las vaquitas often become a bycatch — trapped in those same nets.
As China’s demand for totoaba skyrocketed, the number of la vaquitas plummeted from 200 in 2011 to just under 10 in 2024.
After facing international pressure, Mexico initially announced a two-year ban on gillnets in the Gulf in 2015 to protect the vaquita.
However, due to the remote location of the Sea of Cortez and the lack of adequate police presence and supervision, efforts to save vaquitas faced obstacles.
The Sea of Cortez coastline spans approximately 2,500 miles, surrounded by rugged landscapes. Many isolated areas require time and effort to reach by boat and car. Local police departments in Baja California often lack the resources and manpower to patrol isolated areas prone to criminal activity.
The involvement of drug cartels in the illegal totoaba trade further complicates conservation efforts.
“Mexico has failed the vaquita and totoaba by its inability to enforce its fishing laws, allowing cartel-driven trade in totoaba swim bladders to flourish and putting the vaquita on the precipice of extinction,” says DJ Schubert, a senior wildlife biologist with the Animal Welfare Institute in a news release. “We welcome today’s decision by the World Heritage Committee and strongly encourage Mexico to urgently implement all efforts to save the vaquita.”
The Aquarium of the World
Travelers worldwide visit popular destinations along the Sea of Cortez, like Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, to see gray whales, orcas, sea lions, and whale sharks, among other marine wildlife. The Sea of Cortez also boasts unique topography and calm, clear waters, and it is considered one of the best diving destinations in the world.
The renowned French naturalist Jacques Ives Cousteau nicknamed the region “The World Aquarium” because of its incredible marine biodiversity.
Las vaquitas live in the upper part of the Sea of Cortez, an area less popular among tourists than the lower part of the Baja Peninsula. They are the smallest, most endangered porpoises on the planet and notoriously hard to spot, as they surface only to breathe.
Despite a 2020 gillnet ban and some reduction in illegal gillnets within Mexico’s “zero-tolerance area,” these nets are still widespread elsewhere. Without drastic measures, las vaquitas extinction is imminent.
UNESCO Calls for Action
In addition to renewed calls to protect la vaquita, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee agreed to retain the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California World Heritage site — the only home to vaquita — on its List of World Heritage in Danger.
Under the World Heritage Convention, a site may be listed as “in danger” if development projects or major public works threaten the natural values the site was designated to protect.
According to the news release, the committee determined that Mexico’s recent attempts to quell illegal fishing in the area were “not fully effective” in protecting the species.
“I appreciate the committee’s continued pressure, but it’s disheartening that Mexico still hasn’t kept its promises to protect the quickly vanishing vaquita,” says Alejandro Olivera, senior scientist and Mexico representative at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Despite a 2020 ban, lethal gillnets still plague these little porpoises’ habitat. Mexico needs to step up immediately, expand the vaquita’s protected area, and enforce the law by stopping illegal fishing.”
UNESCO’s Requirements For Mexico
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee also approved corrective measures for Mexico to safeguard the species.
The committee decided they would lift “in danger” designations provided Mexico:
implements sustainable fishing practices that avoid harming marine life.demonstrates a five-year increase in the vaquita population with healthy individuals and calves.effectively protects the area from illegal fishing.eliminates gillnets from the Vaquita Refuge and Biosphere Reserve.collaborates internationally to combat poaching and trafficking.
It also directed Mexico to consult with key stakeholders and submit a detailed plan, including timelines. Hopefully it’s not too little too late for las vaquitas.
