Is a vaquita a dolphin?

Is a vaquita a dolphin?

The vaquita is about 5 feet long and is one of the smallest members of the dolphin, whale, and porpoise family. Females are longer than males, but males have larger fins. Vaquitas have small, strong bodies with a rounded head and no beak.

Why are Vaquitas going extinct?

Unsustainable and illegal fishing practices are the main drivers pushing vaquita to extinction, particularly due to bycatch from illegal fishing. Vaquitas share waters with the much sought-after totoaba fish and fishing nets inadvertently catch and drown the porpoise.

Why is the vaquita important?

WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT Vaquitas exist as both predator and prey in their natural habitat. Preyed upon by members of the shark family, Vaquitas serve as important food sources for top predators.

Is the vaquita the rarest animal?

Vaquita, the world’s rarest marine mammal, is on the edge of extinction. Vaquita are often caught and drowned in gillnets used by illegal fishing operations in marine protected areas within Mexico’s Gulf of California.

Is Totoaba illegal?

It has been illegal to catch totoaba since 1975 when it was placed on the Mexican Endangered Species List. In 1976 it was added to CITES Appendix I and in 1979 it was placed on the US Endangered Species List. This closure is necessary as they were still caught as a bycatch in the legal fishery for other species.

Are there any Vaquitas left?

Only about 10 vaquitas remain, but scientists say there’s still hope for the elusive porpoises. Their fate largely depends on the Mexican government.

Are there any vaquitas left?

How much are bladders worth?

The dried swim bladder, or maw, can fetch a price of between $20,000 and $80,000 per kilogram on the black market.

Can you eat totoaba?

The critically endangered totoaba fish must not be caught or consumed, except for one company, Earth Ocean Farms in the Gulf of California, which has a special permit granted by Mexico, called Unidad de Manejo Ambiental. …

What are the vaquitas predators?

The predators of the Vaquita include sharks, orcas and killer whales. The Vaquitas mating season is between April and may, and female vaquitas will have one calf aprox. Vaquitas have a lot of access to food as it lives in shallow murky areas in the ocean where the tide brings in a variety of fish or crab to eat.

How is the vaquita adapted to its habitat?

Vaquitas are the only porpoise species adapted to living in warm water. Most porpoises inhabit water that is cooler than 20 o C (68 o F) whereas vaquita are able to tolerate water that fluctuates from 14 o C (57 o F) in the winter to 36 o C (97 o F) in the summer. These porpoises may live 20 years if they escape gillnets.

Why are vaquita endangered?

The primary cause of vaquita endangerment is the illegal gill net fishing that happens in their area. The Gulf of California is also home to the totoaba fish, another endangered species that is in high demand for traditional Chinese medications.

Can the vaquita be saved from extinction?

The vaquita does not have much time left. If conservation efforts are not successful, it might go extinct within the next couple of years. But it’s not too late. Together, we can save the vaquita. And you can help today supporting our efforts to raise awareness for this critically endangered animal.