Ecobreves – MÉXICO: Marine Vaquita Endangered

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

MEXICO CITY, May 5 2002 (IPS) - Environmental organizations are working to prevent the extinction of the marine 'vaquita', a mammal similar to the dolphin and unique to Mexico. The population has dwindled to fewer than 600. The International Fund for Animal Welfare will carry out a study of the species from its ship-laboratory. The vaquita can measure 0.7 to 1.5 meters long. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is also preparing to take part in the rescue plan.

Some 85 vaquitas are killed each year, trapped accidentally in the nets of the fishing vessels that work the Gulf of California along the northwestern coast of the country, the only habitat of this species.

The WWF strategy is to replace a certain type of net used in fishing and to improve techniques to foment sustainable fishing and to protect the vaquita. The authorities in the area must also step up monitoring efforts.

Even with these efforts, admit the environmentalists, it will be difficult to prevent the extinction of the vaquita.