The figures are still dramatic but hope is the last thing to be lost, as the cliché says. After nearly eight years of hard work and countless setbacks, Operation Miracle seems to have begun to pay off and the vaquita porpoise, California porpoise, or cochito (Phocoena sinus) may be on the road to recovery.
The 2022 vaquita census, released this June, indicates the survival of 13 specimens of this small toothed cetacean (with teeth) in the waters of the Gulf of California, its only natural habitat in the world.
The hope of survival of the most threatened marine mammal in the world is the most outstanding data from the 2023 Vaquita Survey, released the first week of this month of June by experts from the Mexican government and the NGO Sea Shepherd.
The survey data shows that "between 10 and 13 vaquitas, including a minimum of one newborn calf, survive in the Gulf of California, off Mexico. Professor Barbara Taylor, leader of the comprehensive assessment, explained that the new "survey revealed the greatest conservation success of vaquitas in 30 years working to conserve this species." Thus, the report highlights: "The apparent 90% decrease in gillnets, which are used for illegal fishing of totoabas (fish) and causing the accidental death of many vaquita, is probably the most important step that has been taken to date to save this small cetacean."
The 2023 Vaquita Study was conducted from May 10 to 26, 2023 in a small region of the Upper Gulf of California in Mexico. A partnership between Sea Shepherd and the Mexican Commission for Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), the survey was conducted by fourteen highly trained and experienced observers and led by Barbara Taylor, who has more than 20 years of experience in vaquita protection. . The study located and tracked the vaquitas from two ships, the Sea Shepherd M/V Seahorse and a private ship Sirena de la Noche. Both boats served as observation platforms to help estimate the population size of vaquitas alive in the Zero Tolerance Area (ZTA) of the Vaquita Refuge. Logistical support was provided by the Mexican Navy.
Pritam Singh, President and CEO of Sea Shepherd, which has been protecting the vaquita since 2015 through Operation Milagro, in partnership with the Mexican government, said: “The mission we share with Conanp, Semarnat, the Navy of Mexico and Professor Taylor is simple; to save the vaquita." "Our commitment to that goal is complete, and Sea Shepherd believes that the results of this year's survey increase our determination to save this unique species.
The action plan of the Government of Mexico to prevent illegal fishing and trade in totoaba and protect the vaquita has been approved this June by the International Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) of Mexico highlights that the approval of the general secretariat of CITES occurs after a Mexican delegation of representatives of the secretariats of Environment, Marine, Foreign Relations and Agriculture and Rural Development, traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, on March 27.
The action plan for the protection of the vaquita porpoise delivered to CITES on March 31 considers compliance with all the decisions and resolutions of the Convention with seven lines of action and 34 goals.
Among the lines of action are: monitor effective compliance with regard to authorized loading and unloading sites in accordance with the regulatory agreement. In addition to preventing the entry of vessels to the Zero Tolerance Zone (Zo) as well as keeping it free of gillnets together with the Vaquita Refuge Zone (ZRV).
It also seeks to strengthen intelligence actions to combat transnational organized crime on the illegal trafficking of totoaba. The plan will monitor the vaquita population and seek to raise awareness about the illegal trade in totoaba and the consequences for conservation.
The goals include: installing long-range video surveillance, keeping the Zero Tolerance Zone signposted, intensifying maritime, land and air patrols and destroying networks found in this area.
