Vaquitas — the small, signature porpoises of the Gulf of California — are on the brink of vanishing. With merely a handful of living individuals left, this marine mammal faces an accelerated path to extinction that could unfold within just a few years. Overfishing and the ongoing loss of habitat driven by climate change are the primary drivers of this decline. Yet there is a glimmer of hope: vaquitas continue to reproduce. If fishing pressure is removed and protected habitats are maintained, the potential for rapid repopulation remains plausible.
The International Whaling Commission has warned about extinction for vaquitas, marking a rare, unprecedented alert in its seven decades of work. They are the smallest and most endangered marine mammal on the planet. Phocoena sinus, commonly known as the vaquita or cochito, measures roughly 150 centimeters in length and weighs about 50 kilograms. Their habitat is restricted to a single region — the upper Gulf of California — making them especially vulnerable to localized threats. The pace of decline has accelerated in recent years, underscoring the urgency of decisive action.
From 200 copies to 10 copies in just twenty years
At the start of the century, estimates placed vaquita numbers above 200 individuals. By 2015, the population had slipped to around ninety-seven. The year 2017 saw a shocking 67% drop, leaving fewer than forty vaquitas. By late 2018 and early 2019, projections suggested only ten to fifteen remained. By 2023, the population count hovered around a dozen, with a newborn calf providing a small sign of resilience. While any single birth is encouraging, it does little to alter the harsh trajectory facing this species.
The principal cause of decline is illegal fishing using gill nets aimed at other species, notably totoaba. Totoaba swim bladders command extraordinary prices on the international black market due to beliefs about their healing properties. When vaquitas encounter these nets, they can become bycatch, with fatal consequences. The economic lure behind these practices makes enforcement challenging and underscores the need for durable, community-supported solutions.
Experts note that repeated warnings over decades have not sufficed to curb the threat posed by gill nets. The IWC reiterates that without removing fishing pressure, extinction remains a distinct possibility for the vaquita, and the species could disappear from the wild in the near term.
In response, the Mexican government has introduced measures such as zero-tolerance zones (ZTA) near critical habitats to curb gillnet use. While these efforts have reduced net fishing in targeted areas, officials acknowledge that nets may be relocated to the zone boundaries, potentially undermining gains. The challenge lies in extending protections to all vaquita habitats and ensuring that enforcement is both robust and credible.
Despite the grim statistics, signs of persistence endure. Population estimates have not shown a dramatic uptick, but the presence of calves and young vaquitas indicates ongoing reproduction in the restricted region. The International Whaling Commission emphasizes that continuing protection measures and the elimination of harmful fishing practices are essential to any chance of recovery. The organization stresses that the moment to act is now, not later, if the vaquita is to avoid final extinction.
Efforts to secure a sustainable path forward include advocating for a complete ban on gillnet fishing and promoting safe, viable alternatives for local fisheries. By removing the primary source of mortality for vaquitas and supporting the livelihoods of fishing communities through compensation, gear modernization, and alternative livelihoods, a foundation for recovery can be built. The call from the IWC is clear: protect vaquitas with decisive, lasting actions and commit to a future where this fragile species can persist in their natural habitat.
…[cited sources and authorities: IWC, Mexican government environmental agencies, WWF]…
The environmental sector continues to monitor vaquita populations and habitat health, emphasizing transparent data collection and interagency collaboration. The path to recovery is uncertain and long, but the ongoing reproductive activity offers a crucial beacon of hope that, with sustained protection, a slow but meaningful rebound could be possible for these elusive creatures in the Gulf of California.