vaquita

Mexico allows return of Sea Shepherd into Upper Gulf of California

Following nearly nine months of inactivity, the international environmental group Sea Shepherd has announced the Mexican government will allow them to return to the Upper Gulf of California to assist with the task of saving the critically endangered vaquita marina. Sea Shepherd detailed to have signed a new agreement with various agencies including the Ministries […]

Sea Currents: Notes from the Upper Gulf

CEDO promotes sustainable and profitable fisheries In coordination with coastal fishermen, the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans (CEDO) is promoting sustainable fisheries for Puerto Peñasco and the region, reports CEDO Director Nélida Barajas Acosta. Barajas Acosta, who stepped into the CEDO leadership role in 2019 in the footsteps of founder and […]

Summer sighting of 6 Vaquitas reported in Upper Gulf of California

By José Antonio Pérez The small ocean mammal, the vaquita (Phocoena sinus), of the Upper Gulf of California is nearly on the brink of extinction. Yet, the Museo de la Ballena y Ciencias del Mar (Whale and Sea Science Museum) reported between  Aug. 19th – Sept. 3rd three pairs of vaquitas had been spotted near […]

More than 50 organizations call on efforts to save Vaquita Marina

By José Antonio Pérez More than 50 organizations that defend biodiversity and animal protection from across the globe have called on the Mexican Federal Government to save the endangered vaquita marina. Despite measures taken over the last six years, scientists have acknowledged that of 30 vaquitas thought to have been in existence there remain only […]

World Wildlife Fund mourns diminishing numbers of endangered vaquita

By José Antonio Pérez The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) mourned confirmation of the first reported death this Spring of the endangered vaquita in 2018, as each specimen is vital for the species’ survival given their numbers are estimated to be under 30. The WWF also reiterated the urgency to end illegal fishing of the also […]

Confirman suspensión de programa Vaquita CPR

Esperan causas de muerte de ejemplar capturado el fin de semana Por José Antonio Pérez La captura de vaquitas marinas quedó suspendida hasta conocer el resultado de la necropsia para conocer las causas de la muerte de la que se capturó el fin de semana y determinar los protocolos a seguir en esta misión, reveló […]

Historic rescue of young vaquita in efforts to preserve endangered species

By José Antonio Pérez The rescue of a young vaquita marina (Phocoena sinus), estimated to be approximately 6 months old, was enthusiastically announced on Wednesday, Oct. 18th, by Rafael Pacchiano Alamán, Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), along with several scientists heading up the Vaquita CPR project in the Upper Gulf of California.  […]

Dolphin Vaquita Rescue Plan Goes into Action

By José Antonio Pérez The project to local and rescue the endangered vaquita marina, endemic to the Upper Gulf of California, through use of trained dolphins has begun with inauguration of the Naval Search, Rescue and Maritime Surveillance Station (Ensar) in Baja California. Andrea, Fathom, Katrina, and Splash, four bottle-nosed dolphins trained by the U.S. […]

Construction begins on Vaquita sanctuary

By José Antonio Pérez Aug. 16, 2017.  With a budget of 4 million dollars, construction has begun on the operation camp of what will be a temporary sanctuary for the vaquita marina (Phocoena sinus). For many, this represents the last hope for saving the critically endangered vaquita, endemic to the Upper Gulf of California. Camp […]

Dolphins to be used in efforts to rescue vaquita marina

By José Antonio Pérez Three dolphins are currently preparing for a tremendous mission, which is perhaps one of the last efforts to save the vaquita marina (phocoena sinus) from extinction.  It is estimated there are currently fewer than 40 vaquita, the world’s smallest cetacean mammal, in its natural habitat of the Gulf of California. The […]

World Wildlife Fund applauds new agreement to protect vaquita marina

By José Antonio Pérez June 8, 2017.  The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports an agreement signed this past week between the Mexican Government, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, and the Carlos Slim Foundation is a firm step in the fight to save the endangered vaquita marina in the Upper Gulf of California. This initiative includes a […]

World Wildlife Fund urges ban on nets to protect the vaquita marina

By José Antonio Pérez Specialists of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) warn only weeks separate the vaquita marina (Phocoena sinus) from survival or extinction.  This is the period that remains in the temporary ban by the Mexican government on the use of gillnets, principal threat to the vaquita marina, by fishermen in the Gulf of California. It […]

“Ghost nets” removed from Upper Gulf of California

By José Antonio Perez More than 100 types of fishing gear have been secured as part of a program to remove “ghost nets” from the Upper Gulf of California to protect the endangered vaquita marina. The program is a joint effort of the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the Mexican Navy (SEMAR), […]

Six vessels detained for illegal fishing in vaquita protective area

By Jose Antonio Perez Following the detention of two additional fishing vessels for illegal fishing activities in the Vaquita Marina protective area in the Upper Gulf of California, this brings the total to six boats detained through support from cutting-edge technology of Unmanned Aircraft  operated by the Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR) and SISMEP-CONAPESCA. In […]