they are looking for him vaquita dolphin fish or cochito, colloquially”sea pandascientists call it Phokoena sinus and this world’s rarest marine mammal. type critically endangeredmainly due to illegal nets used to catch totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi), a fish whose crop can fetch exorbitant prices in China for its supposed medicinal properties. The Mexican Government and environmental organization Sea Shepherd join forces to prevent the vaquita from disappearing forever.
For several months now, Mexican Navy ships, observation planes, and protection boats have been patrolling the upper Gulf of California. Race against time to save this marine mammal from extinction. It won’t be easy: There should be 97 copies left in 2015, less than 40 in 2017, and around 10 right now.
However, a recent study published in the journal ‘Science’ by a group of biologists from the University of California concluded that: species can survive on its own. “If the risk of by-fishing deaths from fishermen can be eliminated, this species has a good chance of not going extinct,” the study says.
“Vaquita is not doomed to genetic factorsLike deleterious mutations that affect many other species whose gene pool is similarly reduced,” explains Christopher Kyriazis, one of the study’s authors.
The study also shows that kinship, This situation, which is inevitable due to the few vaquita dolphins remaining in the world, does not pose as great a risk for the species as previously thought. The study authors noted: The future of the species is in the hands of man.
diplomatic conflict
Even the vaquita marina Diplomatic conflict between Mexico and the United StatesThe authorities of the second country were fiercely critical of the authorities of the first country, considering that they did not do enough to protect the smallest dolphin on the planet. Among its advocates is the famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio..
The Mexican Navy has responded to US criticism by increasing surveillance. The military deployment came after a group of researchers spotted eight specimens of this mammal last fall.features include distinctive black rings around their eyes.
The only habitat of this species is a small area in the Gulf of California. Navy personnel and activists from the conservation group now monitor that area every day, looking for illegal nets and preventing fishermen from getting close to what they say.”zero tolerance zone“.
This is the final stage of the process.miracle operation“Introduced by Sea Shepherd in 2015, single-purpose prevent this rare animal from extinction. Aircraft belonging to Máximo’s Army patrol daily to look for ships entering forbidden waters.
“Especially the efforts we’ve seen in the last three or four months, vaquita now has the best fighting chance he’s had in decadesSea Shepherd CEO Chuck Lindsey stresses to save himself from extinction.
violent clashes
Mexican Navy rescued more than 70 illegal nets this yearlast year, he found and subtracted 172. Trammel nets create invisible barriers for marine species that can reach tens of meters in water and catch not only totoabas (which are forbidden to catch), but also vaquitas, whales, dolphins. sharks and turtles, says Sea Shepherd.
Mexican authorities are now checking that fishermen in the upper Gulf of California have the necessary paperwork and then inspect their nets. Authorities are also probing beaches for stranded nets.
Environmentalists have been involved in several violent clashes with fishermen in recent years. While working with Mexican authorities to remove the illegal networks that have destroyed populations of this species for decades, smallest dolphin on the planetAs adults, they reach only 1.5 meters in length and 50 kilograms in weight.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recognized the species since 1996. critically endangered. Also in 2019 Unesco adds Gulf of California islands and protected areas to its list of World Heritage in Danger due to fears of the species’ imminent extinction.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s intervention
Nevertheless, international interest The plight of the vaquita marina only increased after Leonardo Dicaprio In 2017, he asked his millions of followers on social networks to sign a petition addressed to the then Mexican president, Enrique Peña Nieto, asking him to do more to protect this dolphin.
Later, the actor met with the Mexican leader and enlisted the support of him and businessman Carlos Slim. integral program for the rescue of marine mammals. Di Caprio returned to the fray last year. Andrés Manuel López accused the Obrador Government of abandoning the vaquita.
By the way, diplomatic frictions continue: In February, the United States requested Mexican consultation on efforts to conserve the species. This is the first time a government has brought up the environmental provisions of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which has been in effect since July 2020.
Joe Biden government can apply sanctions in the form of tariffs to Mexico if it does not respond satisfactorily to its demands for species conservation.
Although little is known about the vaquitas, it is believed. they live about 20 years under ideal conditions. They reach maturity in three years. At this time of year they are in full breeding season. Their gestation period is 10 to 11 months, and they usually give birth to a calf every one or two years. Until 8 months old, puppies can’t take care of themselves.
it is known to be they emit ultrasound to stay in touch with each other. They don’t usually approach ships, and their only outside appearance is to climb up, take a slow breath, and then quickly disappear again.
Reference report: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abm1742
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Source: Informacion
